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iSTAYS AND I 

PONNECTIONS. I 

COMPLETED RAILROADS. ' 
ROADS NOW BUILDING. 




THE CITY OF 



SAINT PAUL, 



THE CAFITAL OF MINNESOTA, 



AND THK 



Commercial, Railway and Financial 



Hetniopoli^ of tJE Mof tliWe^ii. 



THE ST PAUL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, 

INXLUDIXG THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THAT BODY FOR 
THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,' 1S83. 



'IGHT. ^STr 

APR 28 1884 




SAINT PAUL: 

The Pioxee;^ Press Publishing Co.vipany. 

1884. 




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k)u.rr)Tr)<2LTY of C>a]iGr)f Keafurcs. 



St. Paul, Mixxesota, ]Maech 15, 1884. 

The following tabulated synopsis of the principal facts and figures given in this 
pamphlet will prove useful for general reference, and may enable the reader to 
judge quickly of the many reasons why it will prove profitable to examine closely 
the opportunities now presented by St. Paul (detailed within these pages) to all 
persons who desire to take advantage of the present phenomenal growth of the city 
and the wonderful development of the Northwest: 

POPULATIOX OF ST. PAUL. 

Kumber of inhabitants in 1850 840 

Number of inhabitants in 1860 10,600 

Number of inhabitants in 1870 20,300 

Number of inhabitants in 18S0 41,498 

Number of inhabitants in 1883 100,000 

Increase in population in past three years, 112 per cent. 

ST. PAUL'S WHOLESALE BUSINESS. 



YEAR. 


No. of 
Establish- 
ments. 


No. Amount of 
Employes. 1 Sales. 


1870 


993 
276 
325 


89,813,000 
3,180 i 46,555,999 


1881 


1882 


4,684 ; 66,628,494 
.tSIa I 79 04-8.771 


1883 







Receipts of Customs — 

Amount. 

1870 Sll,821.56 

1883 64,016.06 

Commercial Agency Figures — 

Dun & Co. place capital of 289 tirms at $.54,970,000 

Bradstreet's agency reports that there has been no failure among St. Paul 
Wholesale houses in three years. 

EETAIL AND GENEEAL BUSINESS. 

Number of new concerns established in 1883 608 

Capital of 1,669 houses reported bv Dun & Co. averaging over S5,000 each 

(including wholesale; '. §73,490,000 

Ratio of increase of population for past year exceeds ratio of increase in 
number of new retail concerns 33 per cent, showing that retail busi- 
ness is not overdone. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: SUMMARY OF SALIENT FEATURES. 



ST. PAUL'S MANUFACTURES. 



Y^EAR. 


No. Estab- 
lishments. 


No. Em- 
ployes. 


Value of 
Products. 


1870 '.. 


88 
332 
542 
667 
694 
758 


985 
3,117 
6,029 
8,188 
12,267 
13,979 


$1,611,378 

6,150,000 

11 606 824 


1878 


1880 


1881 


15,466,201 
22,390,589 
25,885,471 


1882 


1883 





THE BANKS OF ST. PAUL. 

Capital and surplus of St. Paul banks. State and National $6,930,132.00 

Capital of all other banks in Minnesota combined 6,085,350.00 

Capital of St. Paul's National banks, Dec. 31, 1883 $4,700,000.00 

Capital of all other National banks in Minnesota combined 4,451,000.00 

Excess of capital of St. Paul National banks over all others in the State $349,000.00 

Individual deposits in St. Paul National banks $9,473,146.22 

Individual deposits in all other Minnesota National banks combined 7,563,203.78 

Excess of St. Paul National bank deposits over those of all other National banks in 

Minnesota combined $1,909,942.44 

Capital of St. Paul National banks $4,700,000.00 

Capital of all National banks in State of Wisconsin 4,035,000.00 

Excess of capital of St. Paul National banks over all National banks in AVisconsin $735,000.00 



COMPARISON OF RESOURCES OF ST. PAUL NATIONAL BANKS WITH THOSE OF OTHER 

CITIES, AS PER OCTOBER (1883) REPORT OF THE NATIONAL 

COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY": 



Cities 



No. of Banks. Resources. 



1— New York 48 $457,217,563 

2— Boston 54 192,020,596 

?.— Philadelphia 32 117,776,564 

-J— Chicago 11 74,463,102 

.",— Pittsburg 23 46,344,686 

f.— Kaltimore 17 45,962,456 

7— Cincinnati 13 38,102,558 

s—rieveland 7 18,111,481 

9— St. Louis 6 17,308,914 



Cities. 



No. of Banks. Resources. 



10— St. Paul 5 $16,935,096 

11— New Orleans 7 16,040,934 

12— Albany 7 15,073,754 

13— Louisville 9 14,517,043 

14^Detroit 5 13,561,914 

15— Milwaukee 3 7,263,784 

16— Washington 5 4,975,391 

17— San Francisco 1 4,101,582 



Capital of St. Paul banks, 1870 $900,000 

Capital of St. Paul banks, 1882 3,250,000 

Capital of St. Paul banks, 1883 5,550,000 

Increase in capital of St. Paul banks in one year $2,300,000 

Exchange sold in 1870 $16,637,563 

Exchange sold in 1883 (by National banks alone) 103,683,070 

ST. PAUL'S RAILWAYS. 



Xunilter of trunk lines now running trains into St. Paul 

Niinibor of new roads now building to or from St. Paul 

Niiinber of roads extending toward St. Paul soon to seek this city, 
Nimibcr of passenger trains in and out of St. Paul daily. 



.: 10 

5 

5 

164 

^Iil<;s of road operated in the St. Paul system 13,611 

Aery liour of the day witnesses departure of through trains for Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha, 

Winnipeg, I^ake Superior points and the Pacific coast, 
^t. Paul is the principal terminus, general headfjuarters, site of shops, etc., of the following roads: 
Northern Pacific, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba; St. Paul <&Duluth; Chicago, St. Paul, 
•Minueajiolis <t Omaha. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: SUMMARY OF SALIENT FEATURES. 



]S^umber of miles of railway added, to tbe Ct. Paul system within ttiree years 7,200 

Kiimber of miles of road added to St. Paul system in 1883 1,319 

Coat of said construction $25,836,500 

Cost of railway improvements made within city limits of St. Paul in 1883 1,573,000 

COUNTRY^ TRIBUTARY TO ST. PAUL. 

Territory. No. Square Miles. 

North half of Wisconsin z.7,000 

Minnesota 81,259 

Portion of Iowa 15,000 

Dakota 150,932 

"Wyoming 97,883 

Montana • 145,77G 

Idaho 86,300 

Oregon 95,274 

Washington 69,994 

Manitoba 154,411 

Total area 923,829 

Total area of the United States 2,936,166 

Area tributary to St, Paul is equal to more than one-fourth of the entire area of the United States, 
and comprises the best agricultural, grazing, timber and mineral lands of the entire conti- 
nent. Is greater than combined area of Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, Holland and 
Denmark. 

ST. PAUL'S BUILDING GROWTH. 

Bradstreet's report for the building season of 1883 places St. Paul fourth in the list of American 
cities, New Y'ork, Chicago and Cincinnati alone leading, as follows : 

New York '. $37,217,000 

Chicago 12,780,000 

Cincinnati 11,000,000 

St. Paul (eight months onlv) 9,580,000 

Minneapolis ' 8,310,000 

Cleveland 3,750,000 

UPBUILDING SINCE 1880 : 



Y^EAR. 


No. Business 
Houses. 


No. Residences. 


Public Buildings. 


Total. 


Aggregate 
Cost. 


1881 

1882 


139 
234 
434 


1,000 
2,178 
3,124 


13 
29 
49 


1,161 

2,481 
3,607 


$4,571,700 
8,399,000 


1883 


11,938,950 


Total in 3 years , 


807 


6,302 


91 


7,209 


$24,909,650 



Number of miles of business frontage erected within the past year., 

REAL ESTATE. 



Sales during 

1883 

1882 

Increase of 1883 over 1882. 



No. Deeds. 

4,874 

4,447 

427 



Consideration. 

$12,981,331 

9,354,841 

$3,626,490 



HEALTH OF ST. PAUL. 

St. Paul, death rate per 1,000 of population 11.65 

New York, death rate per 1,000 of population 24.36 

Boston, death rate per 1,000 of population 20.43 

Average for the world, death rate per 1,000 of population 22.00 



EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. 

Number of public school buildings completed 17 

Number of public school buildings to be built this year 5 

Cost of school buildings completed $503,500 

Amount to be expended in 1884 100,000 

Number of private schools and academies 24 

Colleges : Macalester College, Hamline University. 

Public school fund of Minnesota $6,000,000 

Public school fund when lands are all sold 15,000,000 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: SUMMARY OF SALIENT FEATURES. 



Public school lands comprise two sections out of each township, or one-eighteenth of the total 

area of Minnesota. 
Number volumes in St. Paul Public Library, State Library and State Historical Library... 30,000 

CHURCHES AND BEXEVOLENT SOCIETIES. 

Number of churches in St. Paul 70 

Number of benevolent societies and institutions 23 

MISCELLAXEOUS STATISTICS. 

Number of Steamboats running on St. Paul lines 17 

Number of Building Societies in St. Paul 26 

Capitalof Building Societies in St. Paul $10,000,000 

Number of houses built through building societies in 1883 400 

Latest report of Postmaster General shows that the business of the St. Paul office is larger than 
that of any city of similar size in the United States. 

Yearly income of postoffice has increased from $81,299.92 in 1879, to §190,907.36 in 1833. 

Over thirty beautiful lakes lie within ten miles of the city limits of St. Paul, affording innumerable 
sites for romantic summer homes for residents of the city. Hourly trains run from St. Paul, in 
the season, to the favorite and fashionable summer resorts, White Bear Lake and Lake Minne- 
tonka. 

St. Paul possesses the largest and finest Opera House in the Northwest. 

When Gen. Grant saw the procession in St.Paul in honor of the opening of the Northern Pacific rail- 
way he exlaimed: " I have seen many grand processions, civic and military, but such a display 
as this of a city's industries I have never seen." 

''I think the growth of St. Paul in the next twenty-five years will far exceed that of the past 
twenty-five years." — He>"ky Yillard, 

In January last, Riifus Hatch said: " I know the Northern Pacific to be a splendid road, and it is 
coming out all right if rightly managed. It's a magnificient thing for St. Paul, and will bring 
that city all the business of the Northwest. Since the excursion over the Northern Pacific and 
to the Yellowstone,! have cut out twelve long editorial and local notices of that region from the 
London Telegraph, that reaches 100,000 persons a day ; ten from the London Times and nine 
from the London Post. They are still keeping it up. So are the German papers. It is worth 
millions to the Northwest. Foreign capitalists will bring Sl00,000,0 into the country to invest 
there this year. They know about the country now. I believe it is the place to put uiouey, and 
bought a large block of land last month." 

Builders of business blocks in St. Paul are receiving in rentals from 15 to 25 per cent on their 
investments. 

Builders of medium residences are securing in rentals from 18 to 28 per cent on their investments. 

Workingmen are sure of constant employment at good wages in St. Paul. 

Capital can find better opportunities (and equally safe) for investment in St. Paul than in apy other 
city in America. 

The growth of St. Paul during the past three years, in all ways that combine to make a metropolis, 
has never been equaled by the development of any other'city of the United States. The aver- 
age increase in the aggregate of commercial, industrial, railway and financial interests, has 
exceeded 100 per cent since 1881. 



lllfpoduclQF 



7' 



The purpose of tliis pamphlet is to present reliable and concise information 
concerning the city of St. Paul and the various sections of country tributary to it. 
The publication is by the authority and under the auspices of the St. Paul Cham- 
ber of Commerce. It is intended that the reader shall derive, from the facts 
presented, inlbrmation which Avill lead to specific results of im^Dortance to the 
individual. In any event the jDamphlet Avill repay careful perusal. 

What would it have been vsorth, thirty years ago, to the then average busi- 
ness man or capitalist if he could have forseen the growth of Chicago to its present 
proi)ortions ? How inestimable that glance into futurity would have been — the 
presentation of an unlimited opportunity for the acquirement of wealth and posi- 
tion ! And it is the very purpose of these pages to indicate to the thoughtful mind 
just such an opportunity as was presented by the great Western metropolis a score 
or more of years ago. Herein the capitalist will discover a field for investment 
such as no city on the American continent now presents ; and such as Chicago 
alone has presented in the past. Herein Avill be clearly defined to the manufact- 
urer a comparatively unoccupied plant backed by a commercial development which 
has already made St. Paul the metropolis of the Northwest. Before the wholesaler 
and jobber in trade will be spread out the most rapidly-developing territory of the 
country, greater in area and richer in natural resources than any region tributary 
to any other American city. To the retailer will be given official figures to prove 
thatSt. Paul's population has increased over 100 percent within the x)ast three 
years, while the increase in retail establishments has been less than 35 per cent. 
The professional man will discover in almost every line of argument and in every 
figure presented, cogent reason why his vocation may be plied to advantage and 
advancement in St. Paul. The artisan of every trade, representing either skilled 
or unskilled labor, may perhaps profit (proportionately at least) as much as any 
other reader by a thorough study of these pages ; for he will find herein the record 
of constant demand, at fair wages, for his labor, coupled with a health-giving 
climate, the best free school facilities, and opportunities for securing cheap and 
comfortable homes. The young man or woman, yet undecided as to a future home 
or business, will find the facts presented of special importance ; life success to 
indi^ iduals of this class may be pointed out, where heretofore the effort to discover 
a proper place and sphere has failed. To the person of means who has retired 
from active business pursuits and desires most of all to locate permanently where 
health and pleasure may be best and most easily secui-ed, this pamphlet will prove 
important and interesting. There is yet another class that may derive hope 
and benefit from these pages — the army of invalids that, like Ponce de Leon, 
search only for the fountain of health and are led hither and thither by false state- 
ments and theories, given as mere declarations by irresponsible localities or indi- 
viduals. All classes will learn that St. Paul possesses exceptional educational advan- 
tages, not only in public schools but in the difierent universities and colleges here 
located; and all who read these pages carefully — not excepting citizens of St. 
Paul — will discover new facts, relative to the Northwest and its metropolis, that 
m^ay be of immediate value and ser^dce. 

All statements made herein, and figures given, are vouched for by the St. Paul 
Chamber of Commerce, through a select committee to which was assigned the duty 
of editing the material collated by the Secretary of the Chamber in preparing his 
annual report of the business interests of St. Paul for the year ended December 
31, 1883. 



»ife ot k)t. Ifecui, 



The corporate limits of St. Paul embrace the head of navigation on the Missis- 
sippi, and comprise an area of twenty-one square miles located on both banks of 
the great river. Being the head of navigation on the Mississippi, St. Paul is, there- 
fore, the head of navigation of by far the grandest and most extended river system 
in the world. It was this consideration which led William H. Seward to say, as 
long ago as 1860, while standing in the doorway of the state capitol in St. Paul : 

" I find myself for the first time upon the high land in the center of the continent of North 
America, equi-distant from the waters of Hudson bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Here is the place — 
the central place — where the agricultural products of this region of ISTorth America must pour out 
their tributes to the world. I have cast about for the future and ultimate seat of power of North 
America. I looked to Quebec, to New Orleans, to Washington, San Francisco and St. Louis for the 
future seat of power. But I have corrected that view. I now believe that the ultimate, la,st seat of 
government on the great continent will be found somewhere not far from the spot on which Island, 
at the head of navigation of the Mississippi river." 

]Mr. Seward's prediction, however, was based upon the fact of St. Paul's being 
the head of navigation of the river system of the country, and did not take into 
consideration the much more important fact — which was unknown or unappre- 
ciated at the time — that the city's location was a natural doorway to a region of 
greater extent and resources titan anv yet developed on the continent. The 
advantages of this position are just beginning to be thoroughly understood, and 
the result thus far is an increase of 112 per cent in population within three years, 
the rush of railways to secure entrance and terminal facilities here, Ihe influx of 
wholesale houses, the upbuilding of manufactories, and a constant tide of all the 
concomitants that create a metropolis. Now that the advantages of St. Paul's 
location are beginning to be understood, the knowledge will grow with a constantly 
increasing ratio, that insures a more sudden metropolitan development than 
has ever occurred in this or any other country. Indeed, if a city of St. Paul's pop- 
ulation in 1880 (41,000) can more than double in three years, what may not the 
next decade accomplish ? It is difficult to fully comprehend the wonderful recent 
growth of the city, but the statistics presented in this pamphlet will afford some 
assistance in arriving at an understanding of the phenomenon. 

St. Paul's location has already been fully recognized by therailway companies, 
and from this point radiates every line of road that is seeking northwestern busi- 
ness. Commerce and manufactures are learning a lesson from the railways and 
vie with them in securing advantageous locations in the new trade center. The 
supremacy of St. Paul's position, which was denied four years ago, is suddenly an 
acknowledged fact. Tliere can be no other controling business center for the 
Northwest. This the moneyed power sees with its clear vision, and hence the 
capital of St. Paul banks exceeds the combined capital of all the other financial 
institutifms of the; State, including those of every other city and village. Trade 
and commerce note the broad expanse of river and the daily arrival of steamboats 
in their season, and argue that therein is eternal jDrotection against possible adverse 
combination of railway traffic rates. Population marks the healthfulness of St. 
i'anFs site, and is content with its guarantee of vigorous life and consequent pros- 
perity. 

St. Paul's site is made romantic and beautiful by circling hills that skirt level 
jilateausand form natural boundaries between the commercial and residence por- 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS WHOLESALE TRADE. 9 

tions of the city. At this point the ^Mississippi's course is nearly due east until 
the eastern limits of the city are reached, when the river turns quickly on its 
southern way to the gulf. This course divides St. Paul into two portions which are 
connected by a costly and substantial iron bridge. The major part of the city is 
on the eastern bank of the river, and this portion is subdivided by two consider- 
able streams flowing down from the north and creating valleys which are natural 
rights of way for railway lines through the hill barriers to their course east, north- 
east, north, northwest or west. The photographic views of St. Paul, to be found 
on the title page and on the back of the cover of this pamphlet, will give the 
reader a far better idea of the general site of the city than any pen picture could 
possibly do. The title page represents that portion of the city seen from a point 
of view where the railway lines from the east and north enter the Union depot 
grounds, and leaves out altogether the eastern district and the west side of the 
city ; while the view given on the back of the cover presents more of a bird's-eye 
effect, and was taken from the high hills in West St. Paul. The topography of 
the site of the city is such that rarely beautiful residence localities may ever be 
preserved close to the business heart of the town, while there is abundance of 
room for commercial growth in lines between the two principal residence districts. 
It is difficult to conceive of a more beautiful and useful combination of plat- 
eaus and elevations, upon which to build a great city, than is here presented. The 
business portions are convenient to the river, while elevated against any possible 
danger ti-om flood. Foundations, in a large part of the business district, may be 
hewed out of the solid rock. The principal residence localities afford magnificent 
views of the romantic valley of the Mississippi, and of the beautiful lake region 
north of the city. Pure water, perfect drainage and salubrious atmosphere com- 
bine with Nature's picturesque effects of landscape to make the site of St. Paul all 
that its people can desire. 



|^0:ui s wr)0lcs0:lc ^rPGcelc. 



The magnitude of St. Paul's wholesale and jobbing trade establishes beyond 
question the city's claim to the position of commercial metropolis of the North- 
west. The largest and strongest dry goods, grocery, drug, paper and fur concerns 
in the Mississippi valley outside of Chicago are permanently established in St. 
Paul : and in the lines specified only one or two of the great houses of Chicago 
overshadow those of this city. The general solidity and character of St. Paul's 
wholesale houses have for many years been the quiet boast of citizens, yet it is only 
within three or four years that the volume of business transacted has attracted the 
special attention of the commercial world. Since 1881, however, St. Paul has 
more and more occupied the Western and Northwestern field, until now Chicago 
and St. Louis no longer claim supremacy in this region, but are content to take 
what they can get in an even and well contested struggle. It is generally con- 
ceded, by those interested, that the ratio of business increase enjoyed by St. Paul 
commercial houses within the past three years, if continued for the next decade, 
will place this city beyond possible rivalry in the vast region naturally tributary 
to it. The growth of business can only be understood or appreciated by study of 
the official figures which have been collated every year since 1865. when there Avere 
five or six concerns that claimed to do a jobbing trade. In that year the largest 
amount sold by a single firm barely reached 8100.000. In 18T0 the total trade 
rea<:hed $9,813,000, and the figures were a standing subject of favorable comment 



10 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS WHOLESALE TRADE. 



and admiration. It was not until the close of 1881, however, that the figures pre- 
sented a really large showing, resulting in a total of $46,555,999. Then began the 
wonderful development, which has never been surpassed by any American trade 
center, that swelled the figures of the wholesale trade of St. Paul to $72,048,771 
in 1883. Such, in few words and general terms, is yrhat St. Paul has thus far 
accomplished in a commercial way ; and it is but a hint of the possibilities of the 
future. 

RESULTS THAT MAY BE AXTICIPATED. 

St. Paul has, then, during the past year — despite the best energies of Chicago. 
Milwaukee and St. Louis — distributed |72,048,771 worth of goods throughout 
Northern Wisconsin, IMinnesota, Dakota and the far West ; avast domain on the very 
threshold of development ; a region of incalculable possibilities, but as yet more 
in its infancy than the territory which has made Chicago, was thirty years ago ; 
an empire of natural wealth of forest, field and mine greater than any city on this 
continent ever had to its own exclusive advantage. St. Paul is, by geographical 
location, the one absolute gateway to this field of future greatness in wealth and 
population. Northwestern trade and commerce cannot flow round St. Paul — the 
railways have settled that point forever — ^l)ut must ever concentrate at this point. 
And it is not alone the trade and traftic of the territory east of the Rocky Mount- 
ains (which up to this time has been the sole dependence) which is to make this 
city one of the mighty commercial centers of the nation, but, situate midway 
between the ports of entry on the Pacific of the products of the eastern empires of 
the old world, and the ports of export on the Atlantic, St. Paul becomes by its 
very position the natural middleman between the East and the West. Whatever, 
then, the immense region embraced in Oregon, Washington Territory, Idaho, 
Wyoming, Montana, Dakota, Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin and the British 
provinces of Manitoba and the Northwest Territory, may in the future become 
(aggi-egating more than one-fourth the entire area of the United States), St. Paul 
will be its chief mart and metropolis. 

There is another important factor in the question of St. Paul's future suprem- 
acy as a commercial center ; and that is its position at the head of navigation on 
the most extended river system of the world. If rail rates east and south 
should ever become an imposition, the products of the Northwest may easily and 
quickly secure market by river to New (Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico ; Louisville, 
Cincinnati and Pittsburg, even, are accessible by water route. This single con- 
dition secures immunity forever, to the commercial interests of St. Paul, from any 
form of freight rate extortion. But St. Paul's position at the head of navigation 
on the Mississippi has a grander purpose to serve in the iature than standing 
guard over groundless fears of extortion ; for, year by year as the great valley of 
the Mississipjn prospers and becomes more and more populous, so will the 
improvement of nature's highway be pushed forward until it shall become the 
main route of comm('r(;e bctw(>en the Nortli and the South — and St. Paul will be 
the great Northern dei)()t of all tlie river traffic. 

Upon tlie sul)ject of St. l*aul's future position as the commercial metropolis of 
the Northwest, and the movement of the seat of trade supremacy from the lOast to 
the West, the St. l*aul Daily l^loncer I^rcas recently gave the following editorial 
utterance : 

Tlio j)r(!sont genpration hassfion thopropondoranofi of population, of production, and of political 
pow(;r <!r<»ss tlio Allcf<liunics. Ft is now wiliicssinf^ a daily tiaiisl'crence of tlie scat ofmaniifactuics 
from East to West, and corrcspoiidiuK cliaugcs in every departineiit of business are sure to follow, 
where they have not already b(u;u wroiiKlit. Oiioof (he most important of these, thougli one whi(!h 
lias up to tliis time h<!cn too lighlly noticed or understood, is the gradual hut steady and C(!r(aiu 
movement of the head cc;nt(!rH of tho johhing trade of the country to the West.' As surely as 
the railroad lias snpcrsed(!d the waterway as a means of quick communication ; as surely as Ohio 
first, and then Miniu-sota, distanced New York in f iio amount of their wheat production ; as surely 
as (Chicago sought and won from New York, IJoston and Philadelphia coni rol of the markets of the 
Mississippi valhiy, so sunrly is the same tide of ])rogress HW(!eping onwr.rd, and hearing to St. Paul 
the full measnr(!*of that eommereial supremacy wliieli is hers by right <» ' continental location, and 
which the iiievital)le laws thai, gn'cni the compelition of demand and Hui)piy are uow working out. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS WHOLESALE TP.ADE. 



11 




Tlie above cut represents the great wholesale house of the P. H. Kelly Mercantile Co., one of 
the largest grocery houses in the United States. It is situated at the southeast corner of Third ;,nd 
Wacouta streets. 



12 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS WHOLESALE TRADE. 

It will not be difficult to show what we mean by this assertion, to illustrate the action of the forces 
that rule the empire of the trade, fixing its capital and its boundaries, and to demonstrate that 
to-day St. Paul is by every consideration the leading center for the jobbing trade of the entire North- 
west," the market where it will prove to be the pecuniary advantage of every dealer in this territory 
to purchase his supplies. A distinct confession of the truth of this proposition, as well as an inti- 
mation of the causes that underlie it, from an authority most reluctant to acknowledge it, and most 
actively hostile to the establishment here of a great jobbing business, will be found in the following 
editorial admission of the Chicago Tribune: "Chicago is changing. It is perfectly obvioiis that 
something like the same shift is taking place in our trade that carried the jobbing trade of the West 
from New York to Chicago. The interior jobber west of us is taking to himself the local business 
of his locality, and the jobbing business that used to be done here is merging into the wholesale 
supply of the western joober." 

Taking the above at its clear and inevitable meaning, it is translatable into the simple and 
truthful statement that what Chicago became to Ncm- York, and the other commercial centers of the 
Eastern seaboard, St. Paul is now becoming to both Chicago and the Atlantic cities. To the former 
belongs the business of supplying the needs of the great Northwest. To the latter belongs the bus- 
iness which is legitimately theirs, as coming from a surrounding and directly tributary territory, 
together with the suj^plying of the jobbers who have taken business into thei-r own hands at the 
new center. The change must be accepted with as good a grace as possible, since it cannot be escaped. 
It is not many years since the Eastern cities made a desperate stand against the transferof the jobbing 
business of the West, formerly a profitable and fabulously promising branch of their trade, to Chi- 
cago merchants. The fight was short, sharp, and decisive, and the Western city was victorious, as 
the destiny of geographical positioa and the play of natural forces had willed that it should be. 
The cities which saw the new trade wrested from their grasp were forced to confine themselves 
more strictly to the demands of the ever more densely peopled New England, Middle and Southern 
States, while they remained the great supply depot for imported and locally manufactured goods, 
from whose stores the Western wholesaler might draw at need. Precisely the same change is fall- 
ing tipon Chicago, with the acknoM'ledged removal of the jobbing center still farther to the West. 
St, Paul is taking its place in the succession; and its wholesale business, its opportunities to those 
engaged in that bttsiness, and the superior advantages which it can ofter over all competing points 
to-Say to the buyer, designate it as both now and to be the entrepot and sovereign of the New 
Northwest. 

It will be interesting to look a little into the causes which are working this transformation, 
that we may both see and understand its origin and its proof. Let us suppose a simple case of com- 
petition between St. Paul and Chicago for the trade of a merchant of the Northwest, and it will at 
once appear that the advantage that turns the scale is on the side of the Minnesota distributing 
point. Assume for the moment what we will presently show to be far from the fact, that the East- 
ern manufacturer sells his goods, delivered at his factory, at a fixed price to all customers. Then 
the Chicago jobber pays freight on his purchases to Chicago, and the St. Paul jobber must pay on 
his, additional charges from Chicago to St. Paul. Where, now, shall the retail merchant of the 
Northwest lay in his stock? If he buys in Chicago he, too, must pay freight charges from Chi- 
cago Mest ward, and these charges Mill be such as are imposed upon a mixed consignment, which 
must be shipped under the conditions prevailing in the season of purchase. If he buys in St. 
Paul, the common impression is that the freight from Chicago will be added to the price and 
charged in the bill, thus making the totals equal. But this prevailing idea is a false one. There 
are three circumstances which prevent this equalization of totals, wliich put the St. Paul jobber 
at an advantage as compared with all others, and enable him to wrest from Chicago the business 
belonging to the territory adjacent to or west of him, precisely as Chicago wrested its business 
from New York. In the first place, the freight charges to which he is subject are less than those 
necessarily imposed upon a small purchaser shipping from Chicago. Carrying a heavy stock and 
buying for tlie trade, all seasons are his own. Heavy freight can be brought liither by the lakes at 
a suhstant ial decrease o. cost. Iron from Pittsburg may be sent down the Oliio and brought up the 
Mis>is-ii)i.i with the same result. All the advantages that belong to a large shipper over a small 
one, that inhere in a business able to take advantage of the choice of times and routes of transit, 
to offset rail with water transportation and nuvke a brief cutting of rates by rivals do service for 
the future are at his couDuand. For this reason it is a true and general principle that the difTer- 
eiice between the first cost of an article bought of a wholesaler in St. Paul and in Cliicago is 
always less than the cost to the buyer of shii)ping it from one point to the other. Therefore the 
constant advantage is on th(! side of St. *aal, aiul the bulk of trade inevitably shifts in answer to 
the operation of til is ever-acting '"orce. In. the secoiul place, our merchants can afford to make 
lower terms, and content themselves with smaller uuugins of profit on the few lines of goods to 
wliich the foregoing argumcnit may not apply, both because these are so decidedly a minority, and 
because there are other lines where the Western distributing point lias so tremendous an advantage 
over the Eastern that resistance is practically useless. And this brings is ■'o tlie third considera- 
tion, one not so generally known outside of business circles, whicl i steadilj driving the jobbing 
trade to the Western center in sj)iteof all that cities farther east an do ♦o n-tain it. 

This final and controlling fact is the competition of manufacturers, by which the burden of 
freight '■■hargfs is lifted from the consumer, from the retailer and '"roin the jobber, and assumed by 
the maker of the article himself. For years there has been growing up a practice by which the 
manufacturers of certain lines of goods agree to deliver tlieir wares at a fixed price to "purchasers, 
not at tin; fa<'tory, but at anyone of a number of important distributing p-^ints throughout the 
country. This, it will bi; se(!n at aglanee, eliminate" the element of freight charges from jobbing 
competition, or rattier adds it to tin; overwhelming disadvantages with which the Eastern jobber 
must contend. I'or it is evident that, if a certain eommodity is fiirnislied to the wholesjUe mer- 
chants of St. I'aul at exactly the same price as to those of Chicago, the latter are out of the race. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS WHOLESALE TRADE. 13 

Werethev even to determine desperately to pay the -whole cost of freight from their warehouses 
to the retail store, thev could not keep the trade", because any terms that they may choose to make 
can be met, and still the balance of freight between the two" cities is against them. It is this fact 
that makes Chicago so freelv acknowledge and accept the inevitable. The origin of the free delivery 
custom is easily traceable. 'Somewhere in New England or New York the manufacture of a certain 
article Is begun. Protits are large, and a flourishing trade with the West is established. By and by 
new capital enters the field, and a manufac ory of the same or a similar article is built further 
westward. In the struggle for control of the market it is clear that each must wholly relinquish 
all trade from points nearer to its rival than to itself, o-r must equalize freight rates. A New York 
manufacturer cannot sell his goods in Illinois in competition with those of Chicago make, unless 
he delivers them as cheaply in one city as in the other, and vice versa. The result is the establish- 
ment of a few prominent points for common delivery of articles made both in the East and the 
West, and St. Paul is such a point. luany of the most important lines of goods, articles that are 
staples of consumption throughout the Northwest, are delivered here to our jobbers at precisely 
the same figures charged a Chicago dealer. The Eastern jobber resents the apparent discrimina- 
tion, but he is powerless to help himself. Neither can the manufacturer, who is forced to foot tlie 
bills or lose his custom. As one of his guild remarks in discussing this subject, which has been 
much agitated of late in some of the trade journals : " All that manufacturers can do is to make 
factories the points of delivery, except when manufacturers of the same or similar lines have 
advantage of location." When' this happens they must equalize perforce by paying the freight 
balance themselves. It is now very clear why the jobbing trade is concentrating here. On all lines 
of goods where this manufacturers"' competition exists, the cost price in St. Paul is identical witli 
that in Chicago. Every man doing business in the Northwest and laying in his stock in Chicago, 
therefore, makes out o"f his profits a gift to the railroad company equal to the freight between 
Chicago and St. PauL In other lines of articles not subject to this rule, we have already shown 
thatthis point can compete on more than equal terms with any Eastern market. Striking, then, 
an average of the whole, it is so apparent that the balance of power for the trade of the Northwest 
is on our side, that an Eastern manttfacturer, in answer to urgent requests to favor the jobbers of 
his own section, replies: " The control of the jobbing trade of this country is bound to pass out of 
the grip of New York and other Eastern cities, just as rapidly as the West advances in population 
and enterprise." 

STATISTICS OF THE WHOLESALE TEADE. 

In reviewing the figures of St. Paul's wholesale trade for 1883, it must be 
borne in mind that the Xorthern Pacific railway was not completed in time to 
materially atfect the volume of business ; but that upon the driving of the la>t 
spike in September, 1863, an entirely new, rich and fairly populous field of trade 
was made directly tributary to this city — the territory of the mountains and the 
Pacific slope, with its half million people and endless variety of resources of 
wealth and future development. The completion of the Northern Pacific, indeed, 
added suddenly one-half to St. Paul's field of operations. 

OFFICIAL FIGUEES. 

The following statistics of St. Paul's wholesale trade for 1883, have been 
secured direct from the yearly balance sheets of respective firms, by the Secretary 
of the Chamber of Commerce, and are therefore exact : 

WHOLESALE BUSINESS COMPAEED BY YEAES. 

1881 1882 j 1883 

Number of establishments. 223 \ 276 325 

Nufnber of employees I 3,180 I 4,684 .5,815 

Amount of sales §46,555,999 §66,628,194 672,048,771 

The figures of the table indicate a remarkable steadiness of growth in the 
wholesale trade of the city, and prove beyond any question that notwith.stauding 
the increase in new houses, all the old firms are constantly augmenting their annual 
sales. This latter statement is verified by the fact that the ratio of increased sales is 
much larger than the ratio of increased firms. It is also determined by the ratio 
of increased number of employees as compared with the number of new houses. 
There can be no clearer proof of the health}" condition of the wholesale business 
of St. Paul. 



14 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS WHOLESALE TRADE. 



DETAILED STATISTICS OF THE BUSINESS OF 1883. 



KIND OF BUSINESS. 



No. of 
Establish- 
ments. 



No. of 
Employees. 



Amount of 

Sales — 1883. 



Increase 
over 1882. 



Agricultural implements 

Beer 

Blank books, paper and cliurcli goods 

Boots and shoes 

Cigars and tobacco 

Clothing 

Coffees, teas, spices, etc 

Confectionery, fruit and bakers' products 

Crockery and glass^yare ■. 

Drugs, paints and oils 

Dry goods, toys and notions 

Fuel and pig iron 

Furniture 

Grain, flour, feed and commission 

Groceries 

Guns and sporting goods 

Hardware, stoves and heavy iron 

Hats, caps and furs 

Hides and furs 

Jewelry 

Leather, saddlery and findings 

Lime and cement , 

Live stock 

Lumber 

Machinery and mill supplies , 

Millinery and lace goods 

Musical instruments 

Printing material 

Provisions 

Sash, doors and blinds 

Trunks and valises 

Wines and liquors 

Miscellaneous 



3 


73 


6 


60 


7 


140 


3 


57 


8 


159 


13 


374 


13 


738 


9 


83 


47 


95 


11 


428 


2 


9 


17 


269 


4 


70 


6 


47 


4 


11 


7 


90 


3 


10 


9 


56 


17 


1,620 


8 


129 


3 


42 


6 


78 


3 


13 


7 


89 


5 


110 


2 


30 


14 


88 


35 


448 



$2,163,800 

1,157,321 

1,036,000 

2,910,000 

1,267,000 

825,000 

781,000 

1,502,000 

479,000 

2,500,000 

9,152,000 

4,358,000 

533.000 

6,300;000 

13,237,000 

110.000 

4,467;75a 

1,250,000 

716,600 

77,500 

981,000 

212,000 

2,572,000 

3,660,000 

1,308,000 

500,000 

488,300 

■ 181,000 

1,313,000 

791,000 

200,000 

2,060,000 

2,959,000 



$255,800 

69,167 

*200,056 

85,000 

616,700 

25,000 

89,000 

30,750 

5,000 

740,0 L.'0 

7,500 

1,469,666 

78,000 

424,264 

*296,000 

*40,000 

484,810 

75,000 

*84,000 

349,374 

79,850 

220,378 

9,800 

59,300 

112,000 
99,000 

*27 1,484 



Totals. 



$72,048,771 



$5,385,36? 



* Decrease. 

Miscellaneous includes bar supplies, billiard tables, brewers' supplies, bricks, brooms, brushes, 
carpets, fisli, junk, ice, i^hotographic materials, rubber goods, seeds, soap, steam heating, stone- 
ware, surgical instruments, undertakers, upholstery, vinegar, wooden and willow ware, woolen 
and tailors' trimmings. 

The apparent decrease in the volume of the grocery trade is easily explained, 
the fij^ures representing gross value of sales and not amount of merchandise; and, 
as tliere was a heavy decline in prices during 1883, as compared Avith 1882, the 
volume of tlie grocery business appears to be $29(),000 less, wheu in reality it was 
over 9 per cent greater in amount of goods sold ; and on the basis of prices of 
1882 the sales of 1883 would have aggregated $14,428,240 — or an increase of 
$1,191,240. . 

WHAT RECEIPTS OF CUSTOMS PROVE. 
Proof of the gi'owth of St. Paul's wholesale trade, is found in the official 
reports of tlie United States collector of customs for this distri(;t. There are now 
between fifty and si.vty iirms in this city that im])ort largely; and it may be men- 
tioned, incidctiitally, that all classes of foreign goods, brought in bond to St. Paul, 
iiin be sold throiighoiit the Northwest for less money than those breaking bulk 
in New York or Chicago, and then refreighted to this region. The figures pre- 
sented are from the odicial rc^ports of tin; j)ast five yeais. I'lie business man not 
familiar with th<! growth of St. Paul's wholesale trade for the ])ast few years, will 
read wit li some ast/onishmentthatth(U',ustoms receipts at St. Paul have increased over 
500 i)er cent since 1879, or within live years. By these figures, as in others i)resented 



16 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS WHOLESALE TRADE. 



in this painplilet. it will be seen that the heginning of St. Paul's phenomenal develop- 
ment, was in 1881 ; and that up to the present time the ratio of that development 
has constantly increased; proving, in fact, that the city's growth and prosperity 
has but just begun. It will be seen that the customs receipts from all sources for 
1879, were but Sll,821,56; that the receipts for 1881, were nearly three times as 
large as those of 1 879 ; and that the receipts of 1883 were more than double those 
of 1881. 

THE OFFICIAL FIGUBES. 

Year. Amount. 

1879 $11^21.56 

1880 16,788.07 

1881 30,809.85 

1882 45,248.28 

1883 64,016.06 

LIST OF IMPOETEKS. 

The following is a list of St. Paul firms that imported largely during 1883. 
Among notable importations were 450,000 pounds of tea dii'ect from Japan, and 
13,911 bags of coffee from South America, by a single firm, the P. H. Kelly Mer- 
cantile company : 

P. H. Kelly Mercantile Co. T. M. MetcaL. St. Paul Book & Station- 

Auerbach, Finch & Van Mannheimer Brothers. ery Co. 

Slyck. Cami>bell & Burbank. J. W. Donaldson. 

Lindekes, Warner & Schur- Conrad Schmidt. Forepaugh & Tarbox. 

meier. Kennedy Brothers. Ward, Hill & McClellan. 

Xoyes Brothers & Cutler. Craig, Larkin & Smith, Arthur, Warren & Abbott. 
George Benz & Co. Perkins, Lvons & Co. W. L. McGrath & Co. 

B. Kuhl & Co. D. O'Halloran. George Palmes. 
Monfort & Co. Dyer & Howard. Duncan & Barry. 
Hesse & Damcke. D. Aberle & Co. Zimmerman Brothers. 

C. Gotzian & Co. William Theobald. Schultz, Becht & Hospes. 
Smith Brothers. Lambie & Bethune. Allen, Moon & Co. 
Joseph Masson. Drake Brothers. Hoxsie & Jaggar. 

A. Allen. Merell, Sahlgaard & Glidden, Griggs & Co. 

Beaupre, Keogh & Co. Thwing. Schulze & Macdonald. 

Ranney & Hodgman. 

COMMERCIAL AGENCY FIGURES. 
According to the reference books of Bradstreet's Commercial Agency, over six 
hundred new business (wholesale and retail,) concerns began operations in St. 
Paul during 1883. The i^ency of R. G. Dun & Co., places the number of new 
hou.ses within two years at over 1,250, and gives the total number of St. Paul 
business firms in 1879 — only four years ago — at five hundred and seventy. For 
cwo years i)ast St. Paul has therefore added each year to its trade capacit}', more 
business houses than it had in 1879. The total number of business firms in the 
city at this time, is between two and three thousand. Of 1,669 houses, Dun & 
Co. fix resi)()nsibility as follows, showing the aggregate capital of St. Paul 
bu.siness concerns to be net far from ,$75,000,000 : 

5 houses, responsibility over §1,000,000 $.5,000,000 

6 " '' " 750,000 4,500,000 

17 " " " -. 500,000 8,500,000 

:?3 •• " •' 300,000 9,900,000 

51 " " " 200,000 10,200,000 

70 '■ " " 125,((0(» 8,750,000 

107 " " " 75.0()(» 8,025,000 

162 " " " 4(1,001) 6,4S(t,000 

26H " " " ■ '20,(10(1 5,3()0,0(MJ 

405 " " " KMMKI 4,050,000 

545 " " " 5,(»0(t 2,725,000 

• <7;!,4<til,0<M) 



18 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS RETAIL TRADE 



AX rXEQT'ALED RECORD. 

There remains to be added a vcvy important official statement with reference 
to the wholesale trade of St. Paul, and one which the business world will 
thorougly appreciate. The announcement is on the authority of Bradstreet, and is 
that not a single failure has occurred among St. Paul wholesale houses within 
three rears. This, m view of the business troubles of the past two years, is a 
remarkable showing. Not only has there been no failures in the time specified, 
but Bradstreet goes further and rates the established houses as exceedingly 
prosperous. It is hardly necessary to add that no Western or Northwestern city, 
save St. Paul, can report officially that its wholesale trade has sustained no failure 
since 1880. 

A FUTURE TEA MARKET, 

Since the opening of the Northern Pacific railway, St, Paul has become an 
important tea market, and dealers here predict that this citj^ will speedily become 
the principal distributing point for the chief products of China and Jax^an. 
Although the railway was not completed in time to permit of a fair showing in 
this line for the year 1883, the official figures show that St. Paul merchants im- 
ported over half a million pounds of tea direct from China and Japan within three 
months from the time the Northern Pacific was opened to through traffic. St. 
Paul is certain to become one of the great primary tea inarkets of America, if not 
the largest on the continent. The same may be said with reference to all the prod- 
ucts imported into this country via the Pacific. 

Great and prosperous as St, Paul's wholesale trade has now become, as indicated 
by the figures given, it bids fair to be even more prosperous, and increase more 
rapidly during the next few years than it has at any in the past. The rapid con- 
centration of railways at this point affords all the evidence that is needed on that 
score. 

ROOM FOR NEW CONCERNS. 

AVhlle the above tabulated statements may be of slight interest to the general 
reader, the business man looking toward the Northwest for a favorable opportunity 
to locate, will be especially interested in the details given ; for they will show him 
just what lines occup}^ the field at present, to what extent, and what the average 
business of each concern probably is. By careful study of the figures presented he 
will be convinced that no branch of wholesaling or jobbing is as yet overdone in St. 
Paul. The Northwestern domain is developing, in fact, much more rapidly than 
wholesale houses are increasing in this city. 



Ybc ^cfcril Y^°d 



c. 



Every business man is jiware that retailers are particularly prosperous in rap- 
idly growing cities. This fa(;t accounts, ])erhaps, for the remarkable absence of fail- 
ures among St. I'aul concerns. In this latter respect no other city of like popula- 
tion aud number of establishments can show so clean a record for the past five 
years. An examination of Bradstrcet's re])orts atfords the best possible proof of the 
general prosperity of St. Paul retailers, for it shows that the rating of the general 
average of lirnis is increased year by year. This, of course means much to the 
business man — far more than any possible argument supported ])y mere trade sta- 
tistics. A singh;, but Ijy no means <;xcei)tional case, which was noted while vari- 



THR CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS WHOLESALE TRAEE 




m 
mm 

mm 



'1 lliiriilfi 



20 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS MANUFACTURES. 

ous Statistics were being secured from Bradstreet's reports, was of a retailer in an 
ordinary line who started here in 1881 with a rating of $5,000. In 1882, he was 
rated $10,000, and is now given $35,000. These are actual figures from official 
sources, and are given to illustrate what seem to be a regular yearly increase in the 
rating of the majority of St. Paul retailers. To show that business is not over- 
done in this city it should be stated that the per cent of increase yearly in retail 
establishments is not above one-half the increase in population. The following 
statistics will show that the number of retail houses is really small in proportion 
to the 100, 000 population of the city. In the leading lines the number of houses 
worthy of note are : 

Kind of Business. No. ' Kind of Business. No. 

Dry goods 22 Livery stables 21 

Groceries 153 Millinery. 



Hardware 35 

Furnishing goods, hats, etc 31 

Boots and shoes 33 

Meat markets 52 

Merchant tailors 31 

Furs, etc 29 

Produce 11 



Clothing ; 30 

Cigars and tobacco 63 

Bakeries 19 

Books and stationery 15 

Carpets 7 

Confectionery 39 

Furniture 23 



Crockery and glassware 8 Lumber dealers 23 

I)rags 35 i Second hand goods 10 

Fancv goods 16 I Jewelrv 20 

Fruits, etc 17 | WoodandCoal 16 

The professions are largely represented by young men, all of whom seem to 
meet with success. 

In selecting a location for retail establishments, in choosing a future field for 
professional life, or in looking for a place to ply any honest trade, the reader can- 
not afford to ignore the opportunities offered in St. Paul. 



C)i. 1^0: ul s /^iarjUjacluFes. 



The total value of the products of St. Paul's manufactures in 1870 was but a 
little over §1,000,000, and less than 1,000 persons, all told, were afforded employ- 
ment in the industrial establishments of the city. At this time it was beginning 
TO be evident that the town would soon become a railway and commercial center, 
and the idea once seized upon it grew at home and abroad until it completely over- 
shadowed all thought or talk of the possibilties of the young metropolis as a manu- 
facturing ])hi('e. Indeed, the general rule was to disclaim importance for St. Paul 
in the industrial line. In the meantime Art and Science, always less obtrusive 
than Commerce and Financq, ])uilded more rapidly and extensively than was pub- 
licly appreciated, until now the official figures prove that manufactures have really 
kcj)t jKU-e with every other feature of development. The subjoined tabulated 
reports show that the manulactures of St. Paul have increased from 88 establish- 
mcnts in 1^70, employing 085 persons and aggregating $1,(511, 378valueof products, 
to 758estal)lishmcnts in 1883, with l.'>,f)79 employcesand $25,885,471 valueof prod- 
ucts. The tables will also indicate that this growth to greatness has been remark- 
ably steady and persistent, and that St. Paul cannot fail to become the future seat 
of manulactures while it is becoming the metropolis of the Northwest in other 
respects. The statistics given arc the best possible ])r()of that shrewd manufactur- 
ers no longer regard cheap motive i)ower (wafer) as an essential in the question of 
location, coin])arcd with railway, financial and maiket facilities afibrded ; and just 



22 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS MANUFACTURES. 



in proportion as this city waxes strong in these latter respects, so will manufactures 
increase and thrive. Not less tlian G4 new, and mostly important, manufacturing 
enterprises were established during 1883. 

DETAILED STATISTICS OF MAXUFACTUEES. 



YEAR. 


No. Estab- 
lishments. 


No. 
Employees. 


Value of 
Products. 


1870 


88 
216 
332 
-542 
667 
694 
758 


985 
2,155 
3,117 
6,029 
8,188 
12,267 • 
13,979 


$1,611,378 
3.953,000 


1874 


1878 


6,150,000 
11,606,824- 
15,466,201 
22,390,589 
25,885,471 


1880 

1881 

1882 

1883 





THE WOEK OF 188c 



KIND OF BUSINESS. 



Agricultural implements 

Blacksmiths and wheehvrights ;.. 

Bookbinding 

Boots and shoes 

Breweis, maltsters and bot t lers 

Bricks and tiles 

Brooms and brushes 

Cigars 

Clothing 

Coffees, spices and baking powder.. 

Confectionery 

Contractors and builders 

Crackers and bakery products 

Drugs, chemicals and oils 

Flour and grist milling 

Furniture and upholstery 

Furs 

Harness and saddlery ;.. 

Iron, arcliitectural 

Jewelry and watchmaking 

Madiine shops, foundries and boilei 

works 

Marble and stone cutting 

Millinery, lace and fancy goods 

Pjunting and glazing 

Photograpliy 

Pictures ami frames 

Printing anti puhiishing 

Kailroad rei)air.-< and car making 

Sash, doors, boxes and planing mills 

Slanglitering and meat jiacUing 

Tin and hardware, stoves and piumliin;. 

Trunks and valises 

Wagons and carriages 

Miscellaneou.s 



1:0. of 
Establish- 
ments. 



No. of em- 
ployees. 



Value of prod- Increase over 

uct— 1883. 1882 



147 

28 
6 
7 

24 

18 
3 

7 

16 

20 

20 

12 

13 

4 

43 

4 

8 

60 

15 



Total. 



■oH 



407 
193 
250 

42 

492 

1,5U0 

120 

83 

3,921 

300 

50 

85 
275 
172 
133 
132 

33 
400 
422 

94 

121 

39 

17 

1,120 

1,385 

400 

250 

139 

92 



13.979 



S800,000 

56,000 

90,000 

1,025,000 

914,623 

170,000 

55,500 

800,000 

2,300,000 

795,000 

275,000 

4,947,000 

1,000,000 

405,000 

1,560,000 

560,000 

426,000 

800,000 

265,000 

52,400 

745,000 

176,000 

97,000 

225,000 

63,000 
25,000 

1,698,000 

1,417,148 
484,000 

1,675,000 
450,000 
120,000 
612,000 

1,301,800 



$25,885,471 



MiHccllaiieou« includes awning.s and tents, bleacher?;, l)oats, brass works, carpet weavers, car- 
riage trimmers, cooperage, culhsry grinding, dyeing, engraving, lire-proof building material, fire 
works, hair goods, hoop ami skirt factory, knit goods, lighting companies, mineral waters, musical 
instruments, opticians, rendering companies, renovatr)r of cloth, sewer ami diain pipes, shingle 
bund.s, show cases, soap, si((»rting goods, stamps and seals, steam heating, taxidermist, terra cotta, 
type foundry, vinegar aii'l catsup, wire woiks. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS MAXUFACTUIIES. 



Tte manufacturer who scans the statistics above given will quickly discover 
some, at least, of the many rare openings oifered in St. Paul. In the succeeding 
'hapter will be found " hints to manufacturers," wherein opportunities are dis- 
cussed at greater length and more specifically. 








^_i^.- 



" Union Block," represented above, is 101 feet 6 inches front by 140 feet deep. It has been 
jarefully constructed, and is one of the finest as well as most costly blocks in the city. It is designed 
for stores and offices and has headquarters for manufacturers' and jobbers' agents, several large 
ind well-lighted apartments having been planned expressly for their accommodation. It is owned 
jy Commodore Wm. F. Davidson and Colonel James H. Davidson of St. Paul, and is valued with 
he ground at §250,000. Its rentals aggregate between $25,000 and 830,000. 



fi'ix)is TO |^GCI)uf( 



Gtclureps. 



Manufacturers disregard nowadays traditions wliicli once assigned them 
exclusively to sites uj^on water-powers, and seek commercial and financial centers ; 
this with the knowledge that economic motive power j^er se cannot compensate for 
location apart from general business and railway facilities. Chicago presents the 
latest and best illustration of this fact, although St. Louis and Philadelphia afford 
evidence to the same effect. Even as the first named city offered, a score or more 
of years ago, the greatest possible inducements for the establishment of varied 
manufacturing industries — because of its position as the commercial depot of the 
West and North west^ — so does St. Paul at this time present precisely similar oppor- 
tunities. The arguments (presented elsewhere in detail) which go to prove the 
certainty of St. Paul's future development and importance, are sufficient to con- 
vince the manufacturer that this is the site above all others for the location of 
any industry, the product of which is to seek sale among and patronage from the 
people of the Upper ^Mississippi valley, and the country west and northwest to the 
Pacific coast. 

It must be borne constantly in mind by the manufacturer who is now looking 
toward St. Paul as a favorable site for this or that industrial enterxDrise, that the 
chief merit of the selection does not exist in securing an unoccupied field with the 
certainty of fair immediate returns — a good enough inducement in itself, one 
would say — but is due to the opportunity to develop capacity and production in 
the line oijerated, in proportion as the country tributary to St. Paul becomes pop- 
ulous. It must be kept in view that the empire of the Northwest — aggregating 
the most fertile agricultural lands, the most extensive cattle ranges, the richest 
mineral region and the most valuable and extensive forests of the entire country — 
is e(j[ual in area to more than one quarter of the United States and that it is devel- 
oping more rapidly at this time than any other region on the continent has devel- 
oped in the past. It must also be remembered that by reason of its railway facil- 
ities St. Paul is the natural market of all this territory ; that the Northern Pacific 
— with its headc^uarters and principal terminus here — is a main highway of all 
the region indicated, and the only and controlling route of trade and commerce 
for the greater portion of the entire area. The manufacturer, then, who locates in 
St. Paul is not dependent upon present trade conditions, favorable as they may 
seem, but is merely starting a plant that cannot but expand year by year as the 
country tributary gi'ows in wealth, population and necessities. What Chicago is 
to-day as a manufacturing center, St. Paul, backed by its commercial, transporta- 
tion and financial facilities, and the natural resources of the country tributary 
and accessible, will be within a very few years ; and the time is not fiir distant when 
this city will rival in this regard every manufacturing place in the valley of the 
Mississippi. 

Tiri3 FUEL SUPPLY. 

Many Eastern manufacturers have an erroneous opinion concerning the matter 
of lucl sui)ply in tliis locality, Ix-lieving that works reciuiring constant and heavy 
consunii)ti()n of coal or coke cannot be profitably operated here. So far as the best 
anthracite coal and coke is concerned, it costs more to place it in St. Paul, of 
course, than it does in Pittsburg and many otht^r Eastern manufaQ^uring centers. 
But this excess in cost of these particular fuels to St. Paul is more than counter- 
^•«»lanced by the accessibility of St. Paul to the most extensive copper mines in 

(•24) 



26 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: HINTS TO MANUFACTURERS. 



the world and to the largest and most valuable iron mines in the country; for 
before the close of the present year St. Paul will have more direct and cheaper 
access to first-class Bessemer ore* than Pittsburg ever had. Then, too, St. Paul 
can secure anthracite coal and coke by way of the lakes to Duluth, and thence 150 
miles only b}^ rail, at much less cost of freightage than the heavy manufactured 
goods can be shipped to this point, to say nothing about the shipping of the hea^'y 
ores from the Peninsula of IVIichigan to Eastern manufactories. Again, St. Paul 
is not compelled to depend upon the coal fields of Pennsylvania, for it has near 
and cheap access to the immense coal fields of Iowa, not to mention those of Illi- 
nois, which may be reached by cheap river freightage. In fact, coal and coke of 
any variety can be deli^■ered in St. Paul at the present time within a small per 
cent of the cost of delivery in Chicago. So far as charcoal is concerned, it can be 
fuinished in St. Paul at far less cost than it can possibly be obtained in Chicago or 
Cleveland. In addition to these facts, St. Paul will soon be able, if necessary, 
to i)rocure coal from the West, where immense deposits exist in Dakota and INIon- 
tana. In wood supply, St. Paul can boast of unlimited quantity at lower prices 
than any Eastern manufacturing city can now secure. Averaging cost, and St. 
Paul can secure wood, charcoal and soft coal at lower prices than Chicago can. 

IRON AND STEEL WORKS. 

Pittsburg, CleA^elan4 and Chicago iron workers will doubtless be surprised to 
learn that so far as nearness to first-class Bessemer ores is concerned, St. Paul actu- 
ally has a decided advantage over either of the great iron and steel marts named; 
yet the statement is true, and in the proof here afforded may be information of 
greatest value to those directly interested. It is well known, of course, that 
Pittsburg is compelled, by reason of the inferior quality of its local ores, to com- 
bine many different mine products together — even securing ores for admixture 
from Missouri and Tennessee — in order to produce first-class results. Cleveland is 
dependent entirely upon the mines of the Peninsula of INIichigan, while Chicago 
draws her supply from the same source. Cleveland and Chicago are compelled to 
use a combination of both rail and water routes in securing their iron ores, or else 
all rail, as Chicago sometimes does, via the Northwestern railroad from the Penin- 
sula mines. The fact that Chicago does receive some of its ores via all rail proves 
that the iron makers there can afford to haul first-class ores a distance of over 400 
miles. Now, the distance from these very mines by rail to St. Paul will be but 
3'M) miles when the St. Paul Eastern Grand Trunk is completed to Wausau, on the 
Wisconsin river, or less than .300 miles when the Sault Ste. Marie railway is built 
through to the Michigan peninsula. But St. Paul has a far better showing to 
make in this regard. Undoubtedly the largest and best deposits of specular hem- 
atite ores (the true Bessemer ores) on the American continent are now being devel- 
oped in the State of INIinnesota, in what is known as the Vermillion Lake district, 
2(J0 miles nearly due north from St. l*aul. The value of these mines is more con- 
clusively and clearly demonstrated by the character of the men engaged in their 
develoj)ment than by any paid-lbr analyses; and it is sufficient to state that the 
Towers of Pennsylvania, the Elys of Cleveland and Breitung of Michigan are the 
iron men who have organized the company which is now spending $4,000,000 in 
building the Dulutli & Iron Kange railway through the heart of an absolute wil- 
d(;rnes.s of forest, rock and swamp, in order to make this greatest iron discovery of 
the age accessible. And it should also be remembered that Cleveland and Chicago 
iron workers ex|)e(;t to utilize to advantages the Vermillion ores, which are but 200 
miles from St. l*aul, and which will be accessible from this city before the close of 
th(i present sea-son. In addition to tli(s above unsurpassed resources of raw mate- 
rial, St. Paul ciii)ital i« now develoj)ing Avliat promises to be an excellent and inex- 
haustible supply of iron ore at Black Kiver Falls, Wis., lf)5 miles by rail from this 
city; i)rej)arati<»ns for the building of a ])last furnace at that point being now under 
way. With these advantages in favor of St. Paul, it is undoubtedly the best 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: HINTS TO MANUFACTURERS. 27 



point in the United States to locate first-class iron and steel works. The time has 
come, indeed, either for the establishment of vast works that will have capacity to 
manufacture merchant iron and steel, rails, nails, all kinds of agricultural tools, 
fine-edged tools, saws, mill machinery, etc., etc., or else for works that can furnish 
the iron and steel for concerns that may make specialties of any of the lines above 
indicated. With so vast a field for all kinds of iron and steel goods and machinery 
as the Northwest will soon present, works of the character specified are impera- 
tive. That they would be profitable from the very start there is no doubt. So far 
as various requisites of fuel are concerned, it is self-evident that it is cheaper to 
bring light coke from the East (and we shall soon have it from the West) than it 
is to transport iron ores to Cleveland, Chicago, etc. , and freight back the heavy 
manufactured products. St. Paul, by reason of its nearness to the best iron ores 
of the coimtry, certainly has decided advantage over places like Cleyelandj Erie, 
etc. , where iron and steel works are the principal manufactures. A chief advantage 
of works located in St. Paul would be their proximity to an exclusive market, 
which is growing greater and greater with marvelous rapidity. Of course it is 
only a question of brief time when iron and steel works of magnitude will be 
established in this city, and the manufacturers in this line who will investigate 
now and locate quickly will be the ones to profit most by the unparalleled oppor- 
tunities here offered. 

TANNERIES. 

By virtue of favorable conditions, St. Paul should, ere this, have become an 
important tanning center ; yet its almost incomparable resources and facilities in 
this direction seem to have been entirely overlooked. It is indeed strange that 
this city should be the chief market of the countless hides produced annually in 
the Northwest, be situated at the western door, so to speak, of the vast hemlock 
forests of Wisconsin, and yet secure its leather from localities not nearly so well 
adapted to its manufacture. The general situation may be most easily explained 
by comparisons. Take Milwaukee, for instance, which is now one of the great 
tanning centers of the country: It secures its bark by ship load from the Michigan 
or Green Bay pineries, or by rail from the Wisconsin pineries ; its hides — a 
majority of them — pass through St. Paul from various gathering depots through- 
out the Northwest ; the manufactured products find market in the very region 
from whence its supply of raw material was drawn. In other words, Milwaukee 
is able to gather many of its hides in, around and beyond St. Paul, and returns its 
leather to the same region at a profit. St. Paul is nearer to both bark and 
hides supplies than is Milwaukee, has equal or better facilities for obtaining 
them, and would be a better market for the manufactured product. It also has 
equal, if not better, water facilities. What, then, is to hinder profitable return 
for investment in this line? In this connection the practical tanner will also real- 
ize that the present source of bark supply to Milwaukee and Chicago by water 
communication is getting pretty well exhausted, and that in the near future those 
great tanning centers must seek their hemlock by rail at a distance of between two 
and three hundred miles, from the very district near at hand to St. Paul, North- 
ern Wisconsin, and which is all the time being brought into closer and closer com- 
munication with this city. It will also be realized that in the rapid development of 
the Northwest, its hide product must vastly increase, and that so great a volume 
of raw material or resource cannot long flow past unheeded. Then, again, as the 
country develops, so increases the demand for the manufactured product ; and it 
only remains for those practical manufacturers who now seize upon the opportuni- 
ties here offered, to reap the first and best fruits of that which is certain to 
become — and within a very few years — a leading industiy in St. Paul. To sum- 
marize : Bark and hides may be placed in St. Paul at less cost than in either 
Chicago or Milwaukee ; the ratio of saving in favor of St. Paul will increase annu- 
ally ; St. Paul's market is the entire Northwest, the needs of which for the manu- 



28 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: HINTS TO MANUFACTURERS. 



foctured product will keep pace with its constantly increasing ability to furnish 
raw material. 

CAXXED GOODS. 

Southern and Eastern people, visiting St. Paul for the first time, and noting 
perchance the stocks in mercantile establishments, are invariably surinised at 
the quantity of canned goods displayed for sale, Wholesale houses import this 
class of goods not only by tons, but by car lots, and the annual aggregate is repre- 
sented in money value by hundreds upon hundreds of thousand dollars. The 
market is not restricted to the lumber and mining camps, that of course consume 
great quantities, but is general among all classes of people, owing to the long win- 
ter season when canned vegetables and fruits must take the place of ''early garden 
truck" procurable in Southern localities. The largest invoices of this class are of 
sweet corn and tomatoes, and in these, too, are said to be largest profits. It so 
happens that the latitude and locality of St. Paul is particularly favorable to the 
growth of both sweet corn and tomatoes. It is a recognized tact these two garden 
products attain their best quality where their growth to maturity is most rapid ; 
and in this is the secret of their pronounced success in this vicinity. Sweet corn, 
especially, is grown here to a degree of perfection seldom or never attained in more 
southern latitudes. The sun is hot Avhile it is hot, and therefore both sweet corn 
and tomatoes flourish to the very best advantage during their season ; in fact, 
small fruits and vegetables thrive as well as in any portion of the country, and 
most kinds acquire perfection of flavor not to be met with elsewhere. AVhile the 
soil and climate are eminently fitted to produce the products necessary to profitable 
canning, and while here is the largest market for canned goods on the continent, yet 
there is no industry of the kind in St. Paul or vicinity. It is doubtful if any new 
enterprise would be more successful in St. Paul than an establishment for canning 
small fruits and vegetables, especially sweet corn and tomatoes. The fijeldis open, 
and particularly inviting. 

REDUCTION WORKS. 

Works for the reduction of silver and copper ores have been successfully estab- 
lished and conducted in Omaha and Denver in the West, and in several New Jersey 
towns, Baltimore, etc., in the East. Within the past few months, thousands of tons 
of silver ores have been transported from ]\Iontana and other far Western mines, 
via the Northern Pacific and St. Paul, to New Jersey, for reduction. Even at so 
great a disadvantage in length of haul and cost of freightage, the experiment has 
proved profitable to miners and reducers. Such being the case, it is very evident that 
reduction works in St. Paul would be bonanzas of profit to investors in plants of 
that character. Eeduction works, like physicians and lawyers, may count upon 
business in direct ratio as their reputation for intelligent and honest service is 
acknowledged; the miner feeling assured that it pays better to send his ores to 
the far East, if tliereby he may secure skillful treatment of them and honest 
returns, than to trust to crude or extravagant methods olten employed nearer 
the scenes of his labor. It is stated on the authority of Montana miners them- 
selves tliat if reduction works of the first class were established by capitalists of 
reputation in St. Paul, that there would never be cause to close them through lack 
of patronage. Not only would St. Paul be al)le to displace Ea.stcrn works in 
handling silver ores, but would certainly be able to compete with Chicago, or any 
other ])oint, in reducing the (;()p])er and silver ores from Lake Superior. Within 
less than ciglitcen months, at the farthest, St. Paul will be in closer and more 
direct rail communication with the coi)i)er mines of Northern Michigan than Chi- 
cago now is. The silver miners of the north-shore of Lake Superior are daily com- 
ing into more and more ])r()min('n(;e, and will soon afford revenue to reduction 
■work.s. So far as coke is concerned, it may certainly be brought to St. l*aul at 
much less proportionate e\]»cnse tlian heavy ores can be freighted to the East. 
The completion of the Northern Pacific railway, and the consequent investigation 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: HINTS TO MANUFACTURERS. 



29 




30 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: HINTS TO MANUFACTURERS. 



of the mineral regions through which it runs, is bringing to light the inexhaustible 
mineral resources of the country between the Eocky mountains and the Pacific, 
and is aftbrding daily proof that successful prospecting in Montana. Wyoming, 
Idaho and Washington Territoiies has but just begun. No point in the United 
States to-day olfers so splendid an opening for reduction works as is presented by 
St. Paul. 

BREWERIES AXD DISTILLERIES. 

As a rule the makers of malt liquors and high wines are quick to discover pro- 
ductive and favorable fields for their operations ; yet the inducements ottered for 
manufacture at this point have been in great part overlooked. The brewers of 
Wisconsin and Illinois find a large and constantly increasing market for their goods 
in the Northwest, and show by the maintenance of numerous agencies that they 
can afford to buy barley in St. Paul, transport it to Milwaukee and Chicago, pay 
excessive inspection and storage charges thereon, manufacture beer and return it to 
all Northwestern points to be sold on draught or in bottles. St. Paul offers certain 
advantages to brewers that neither Milwaukee nor Chicago can approach : First is 
the matter of grain supply, whether the barley is procured from the Northwest or 
the Pacific slope ; second is the ease of securing ice (one of the most important fac- 
tors), in which regard Chicago and Milwaukee are placed at very great disadvan- 
tage ; third may be mentioned the unequal ed sites offered by the bluffs about the 
city which may cheaply be excavated (the bluffs are composed of soft sand rock ) 
for gieat cooling and torage cellars ; and the fourth, consideration is the extent of 
country to be supplied from this point. 

Distilleries located in St. Paul would secure all the cattle they could feed 
every month of the year — one of the most important considerations in selecting a 
site for a distillery. The advantage in securing rye would offset the disadvantage 
in procuring corn, and the extent of market would more than compensate for the 
supposed advantages of more southern localities. 

PACKING HOUSES. 

St. Paul, so far as location is concerned, occupies the same position with refer- 
ence to the ]\Iontana cattle trade that Kansas City does to the exportation of Texan 
beeves. It must be considered, however, that the vast ranges of Montana are rap- 
idly supplanting, in both American and European markets, the meat products of 
Texas, because of the marked superiority of the Northern over the Southern fed 
and bred cattle. It is now conceded that the future ])eef product of America will 
be most largely furnished by Montana ; and over eighty per cent of that product 
will always pass through St. Paul on its way to the markets of the world. At 
present tlie countless herds of Montana are shii)ped through St. Paul by rail to the 
great packing houses of Chicago and other Eastern and Southern cities — every hoof, 
every hide, every horn and the fifty per cent of offal paying heavy tribute in 
freightage. St. Paul, by reason of its being the terminus of the Northern Pacific 
railway — over the lines of which the Slontana cattle must be shii)ped — and the 
railway radius lor all lines to the South and East, should become the packing cen- 
ter for this vast and increasing product. If Chicago and Kansas City can profita- 
bly ship fresh meats by refrigerator cars to Eastern markets, when their ice costs at 
least one-dfth as much as their meat, how much more profitably might the same 
business be conducted in St. Paul, where there is no limit to the ice crop? Indeed, 
St. I'aul is by location and in fact the distributing point for Montana cattle, and 
there is every possible advantage offered to the establishment of packing houses at 
this i)oint. In addition to the Eastern market for boxed meats, there is a very 
large local demand — directly upon St. Paul — all through the pineries of Wiscon- 
sin and Minnesota. While beef-packing will always be the most important feature 
of houses that may be established in St. Paul, there is a considerable and rapidly 
increasing hog prodiurt throughout the Northwest. In the establishment of pack- 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: HINTS TO MANUFACTUEEKS. 



31 



iug liouses, St. Paul offers inducements to capitalists that no other city on the con- 
tinent can equal. 




Granite-faced block in the wholesale district at the northwest corner of Third and Sibley streets. 



STOVE WORKS. 

Extensive stove works seem to tionrish in scores of towns like Detroit, Buffalo, 
Rochester, Cleveland, Milwaukee, etc., etc., where it would seem as though their, 
patronage — so great is the competition — must necessarily be limited; yet all 
thrive abundantly. St. Paul, with its area of patronage the empire of the North- 
west, offers special attractions to the manufacturer of stoves, furnaces, radiators, 
etc. Heating apparatus may be ranked almost first on the list of family require- 
ments in this region, yet Eastern manufacturers have this great field practically to 
themselves. Stove works equal to the largest in the country would undoubtedly 
be taxed to their utmost capacity, if located in St. Paul, to meet even the local 
demand. In the matter of securing scrap and broken iron, stove works ojjerated 
here would find great advantage over those of Eastern towns, for up to the present 
time old iron is a drug and nuisance, not only in St. Paul but all through the 
Northwest. With the opening of the iron mines at Black River Falls, Wis. , — ^now 
in process — pig iron may be secured near at hand (about 165 miles by rail'), and 
the development of the Vermillion iron mines will place the best ores in the 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: HINTS TO MANUFACTUREKS. 



country Avithin 200 miles of this city. If stove works are profitable in Detroit, 
Cleveland, etc. , they certainly would be equally'"- as profitable (probably much 
more so) in St. Paul. 

CLOTHING. 

Inhabitants of a new country patronize the ready-made clothing merchant. 
Probably more goods, proportionately, of this class are sold in the lumber regions of 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, the agricultural towns of the Northwest and the cattle 
ranges and mining camps of the West, than in any like area of the United States. 
While there are large clothing- manufacturing concerns in St. Paul, their capacity 
is hardly a tithe of the requirements in this line of the wholesale market. The 
CA-ident prosperity of the establishments now operated here is evidence enough that 
there is room for many others. Concerns located here would have that advantage 
over Chicago which personal and actual occupancy gives in any .field of trade or 
enterprise. 

CORDAGE WORKS. 

Flax and hemp thrive as Avell in Minnesota as in any State in the Union, and the 
first named is akeady an important crop; but the field of rope and twine making 
is unoccupied. St. Paul presents an unusually favorable opportunity for the 
establishment of cordage works: The raw material might be developed easily and 
cheaply, and the market is not only the ordinary demand of every civilized com- 
munity, but is enhanced by every bundle of grain grown on the Northwestern 
prairies, and cut by the harA esting machines which use twine in tying. The 
amount o^ twine used annually in ]\Iinnesota and Dakota in the harA-est fields 
alone could not be supplied by any one cordage plant of ordinary capacity. The 
field of demand for the products of this industry is unlimited. 

GLASS WORKS. 
There are no glass works in St. Paul. Glass manufactured here would have 
in its favor, as compared Avith the Chicago market, 17 per cent of gross Aalue; that 
amount being the estimate of St. Paul Avholesalers for freight and breakage. U]> 
to the present time no sand perfectly adapted to glass making has been discoA^ered 
Avithin the city limits, although it is very likely that no thorough search for it has 
ever been made. Every resident of St. Paul has remarked, however, the beauti- 
ful Avhite sand rock so plentiful here. This sand is of precisely the right kind for 
glass making only that so far as tested it has proved too fine to melt properly — 
caking in the pots. The A\'hite sand is free from iron and Avould be faultless if it 
Avas but a trille coarser. It is altogether probable that where such .mmense 
deposits of sand rock exist a little investigation would discoA'er beds of coarser 
material than that which is noAv common, so fine, so much admired for its white- 
ness an(^ fineness — and yet so useless. Tunnel City (about 100 miles) in Wisconsin, 
is as near to St. Paul as it is to other localities that use the sand found at that 
place, and so the inference may be draAvn that glass works would pay in St. Paul, 
even if Jie Siind used Avas brought from Tunnel City. In this connection it should 
be stated that a number of years ago a sample of sand was sent from this city to 
I'^iistern glass works and there tested and pronounced first-(;lass, but the exact 
locality from which that sand was taken is not now knoAvn. 

KNITTING WORKS. 

Knitting Avorks establish(>d in St. I'aul within a year have been compelled to 
increase their capacity and general facilities. One establishment is doing its best, 
but it cannot hope to cope Avith the present, to say nothing of the future, demand 
u])on the St. Paul market. For manufacturers Avith small capital there is a fine 
opening in this line. IleaA'y knitted goods art; a great and growing requirement, 
and there is no danger of overstocking or of injurious competition. The lumber 
and niining camps consume great (quantities of these goods, and the field is practi- 
cally unliniited. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: HINTS TO MANUFACTURERS. 




RICE BLOCK, CORNER FIFTH AXD JACKSON. 
WOOLEN GOODS. 

Tlie countless fleeces of Montana, the most rapidly-developing sheep range in 
America, should not be compelled to seek an Eastern market exclusively. If 
woolen mills can be successfully operated in Wisconsin towns, as they now are. 
they would certainly prove profitable in St. Paul, where they would be nearer to 
both the raw material and the market for the manufactured goods. There are 
several sites particularly fitted to Avoolen mill purposes that cannot, in growing St. 
Paul, long remain unutilized. 

[boots and shoes. 

The value of boots and shoes manufactured in St. Paul during 1883 was about 
one million dollars, while the wholesale trade in the same line reached three mill- 
ions. The manufactories now established here are evidently prosperous, and the 
statistics given indicate that there is still room for concerns of this class on the 
present basis of trade, to say nothing of the future growth of the Northwestern 
demand. There is every certainty that additional boot and shoe factories may be 
established here and step at once into a lucrative permanent trade. 



34 THE CITY OF ST. PxVUL: HINTS TO MANUFACTURERS. 

TOYS and' HOLIDAY GOODS. 

Christmas comes as often in the Northwest as elsewhere, and owing to the 
general prosperity" of the people and their well-kno^vn characteristic of spending 
money liberally if not lavishly, the holiday season at St. Paul and all tributary 
points is made much more of than in localities farther east where there is less 
youthful blood astir in the depths of winter. The result is an invariably large 
holiday trade. A house devoted exclusively to the manufacture of toys would 
undoubtedly secure immense patronage, as it would enable all local dealers to 
order more in accordance with their positive needs than they are now able to do 
while compelled to patronize Eastern factories and lay in large stocks or else run 
the risk of failing to meet the requirements of their trade ; making the local busi- 
ness somewhat hazardous. 

WOODEN WARE. 

Basswood, ash, Norway pine, willow and other woods required in the manu- 
facture of wooden ware are easily and cheaply obtained in St. Paul. There is a 
boundless prairie country tributary to supjily , and wherein wooden ware factories can 
never exist. St. Paul is, in fact, on the western edge of the timber belt which must 
in the future furnish the Northwest with its wooden ware. Now is the favorable 
time and opportunity for manufacturers of this class to investigate the opening 
offered here. Inasmuch as agricultural communities are the largest patrons of 
wooden ware, it may be said that the field to supply from this point is practically 
unlimited. 

MATCH FACTORY. 

There is an exceptional opportunity offered here for the establishment of a 
match factory. The field is Ciitirely unoccupied and consists of the whole North- 
west. Materials are cheaply procured. It requires but small capital to engage 
profitably in the manufacture of matches, and surely no other locality can offer 
equal inducements with those now held out by St. Paul. 

FURNITURE. 

The forests of Wisconsin and Minnesota, near at hand to St. l*aul, supply 
abundance of butternut, birds-eye maple, basswood, ash, several varieties of oak, 
cherry and other kinds of cabinet woods, and Minnesota furnishes considerable 
black Avalnut. St. Paul is, therefore, an advantageous place for the establishment 
of furniture factories. ^ 

STARCH FACTORIES. 

Potatoes are among the i^rincipal agri(;ultural products of the Northwest, 
hence the cliief requisite for starch factories is cheaply and easily obtained here. 
Starch works would undoubtedly pay a large profit on small investment. 

BUILDING PAPER. 

All through the Northwest building paper enters into the construction of 
houses. Tons u]K)ii tons arc; used in every town, village and city, and there is a 
constantly increasing market. The raw materials, straw, rags, etc., are more 
(•heaj)ly obtained here than at any point iarther east, and an industry of this sort 
established ill St. I'aul would surely jiay largely. Capital invested in this line 
would be certain of ample returns, and would build up an industry of mag- 
nitude. 

liEET SUGAR INDUSTRY. 

Exjicris in sugar-beet raising, and manufacture into sugar, claim that the soil, 
climate, etc., of Minnesota is particularly ada])ted to the cultivation of the 
sugar beet. Elilorts are now being made to introduce the beet-sugar industry in 
this State. If th<; venture can be made iiroiitable anywhere, it certainly can be 
in St. I'aul, with its ample facilities for reaching every portion of the agricultural 
districts of Minnesota and tliereby securing the raw material. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL. HINTS TO MANUFACTUREKS. 



OTHER ENTERPRISES THAT WOULD PAY. 



35 



There is room in St. Paul for almost every kind of manufacturing industry, 
but the reader's attention is called particularly to the following, any one of which 
would he profitable from the very .start : Brick yards ; carpet weaving ; broom fac- 
tories ; fence works ; gloves and mittens ; glue works ; hops, malt, etc ; ladies' 
furnishing goods ; notions ; lime, plaster, etc. ; saddlery goods; tailors' trimmings; 
vinegar works. 

The manufacturer must consider, in conclusion, that there is not only a large 
market for goods, in all the lines named, at the present time, but that the field of 
demand is increasing in direct proportion to the wonderful development of the 
entire Northwest. 




merchant's H0TET>, CORNKR third and JACKSON. 



HiTjOnjoicd \f4cr)ie]? ©j f^c tjoAi^^dsl, 



. ^ The banks of St. Paul carry tlie trade of a larger scope of country than those 
of any American financial center. The natural requirement to this end is the 
concentration here of comparatively enormous capital. With these facts in mind 
the reader will learn with less surprise that the resources of the National banks of 
IMinnesota greatly exceed those of Wisconsin, Texas, Colorado, Maryland. Missouri. 
Kansas. California, Georgia, and twenty other states and territories, while they 
nearly double those of California, and are twenty-five times greater than the 
resources of the national banks of ISEississippi or Florida. Indeed, the resources of 
the national banks of St. Paul alone, to say nothing of those of the balance of the 
State, were, on Jan. 1, 1884, 816.081,786.02, against onlv §10,680,006 for the entii'e 
State of California, 811,864,631 for Kansas, 89,198,935 for Georgia, and largely 
exceeded the resources of the national banks of any one of nineteen other states and 
territories. But there is one feature in regard to St Paul's banking development that 
the reader's attention is called to particularly, and that is the increase of capital 
during the past year (1883) ; the ofiicial showing presented demonstrating beyond 
any question St. Paul's supremacy as a financial center, and that it is developing 
more rapidly in this direction than any city on the continent. 

INCREASE IX XATIONAL BANKING CAPITAL. 

According to the official report of Hon. J. J. Knox, comptroller of the currency, 
for the year 1883, Minnesota led every State in the Union, with the single excep- 
tion of Illinois, in the amount of capital of natioual banks organized duriug the 
year. The amount thus credited to Minnesota is 82,910,000. and of this sum no 
less than 82,500,000 is represented by the increase in capital of St. Paul national 
banks. This showing is to the effect, then, that the national banking capital of 
the city of St. Paul increased more during the year 1883 than did that of the 
banking capital of any entire State, excepting Illinois. In other words, the 
national banking capital of St. Paul increased more than 100 per cent during 
1883, and the increase was over five times that of all the balance of Min- 
nesota combined. The following table will show that increase, and also the 
increase in surplus, undivided profits and individual deposits : 





VEAi:. 


(ai 


ital 


st'ck I, 


d 


iu. 


Siir 


)lllS. 


Uiid 


vidod pr 


otits. 


Deposits. 




1S82 






S2 


•200,oo;» 






mr> 


,00(1 




f2f)0,36S 




$8,465,088.64 




iss:; 






4 


7(iO,OOU 






870,000 




384,557 




0,47:3,146.22 




IlICI 




$2 


.^;)0,o')(t 






.S2<t.i 


,001) 




s<)4.1!i7 




§1.00S,057.5,s 





INCKEASE SINCE 1870. 
The following table will show the increase in capital and business of national 
banks alone in St. I'anl since 1"^70: 





VKSW. 


Capital. 

S00(»,000 
4.7iiO,0(K» 


Deposits. 

$1,417,021.00 
'.•,47:{,14i;.22 


E.xohange Sold. 


1H7(I 

1883 


S16,6:{7,56:! 
I0:i,(>s:{,07ii 







(36) 



THK riTV OF ST. IWVL: ITS FIXAXdAI, 



RKSOURCES. 




OTHEE STEIKIXG STATISTICS 



^TATE. 



Capital. Circulation. 



Loans and Individual 
Discounts. Deposits. 



Minnesota 
Iowa ......... 

Wisconsin . 



S9,lol.600 


S2.126,524 


^24,084,505 


S17,036,350 


9,055,000 


4,596.303 


20,124,327 


16,647,922 


4,035,000 


2,182.943 


13,841,561 


14,499,471 



In order to make comparisons whereby the reader T^^aT^h^HwruTZ^^^r^^ 

prehend the mianitnrlp of m- Po,.t. c j^v lue reaaer ma^ be tnUr able to com- 



Capital and ^. , . 
Surplus. Circulation. 



Loans and Individual 

Discounts. Deposits. 



City of St. Paul. 



S-5,954,561.80 



S656,()80 



J^U, 504,420.67 



•S9,473, 146.22 



38 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS FINANCIAL RESOURCES. 



From these figures (official) it will be seen that the capital of the national 
banks of St. Paul is not only larger than the capital of the balance of the Minne- 
sota banks combined, but that it actually exceeds the entire national banking cap- 
ital of Wisconsin, and is very nearly two-thirds as great as the total national bank 
capital of Iowa. To form any adequate idea of the importance of St. Paul as a 
financial center, however, it must be born in mind that the extent to which banks 
serve the business of any locality is correctly indicated by the volume of loans and 
discounts and individual deposits, as well (or better) as by the amount of exchange. 
It is certainly a remarkable showing which St. Paul presents in this regard, for 
thereby it is seen that the business of all the national banks in Wisconsin com- 
bined is less than a fourth greater than those of this city alone, while that of all 
the national banks of Iowa does not exceed those of St. Paul by over 80 per cent.. 
In making these comparisons the reader must remember that Iowa and Wisconsin 
are ranked among the most prosperous States in the Union, and tar exceed Minne- 
sota in population, yet Minnesota exceeds either of her sister Northwestern States 
in amount of national bank capital or business. 

But indiA'idual deposits go a great way in indicating actual amount of busi- 
ness, and it will be noted that the deposits of the St. Paul national banks exceed 
those of all the balance of national banks in Minnesota combined, by the splendid 
total of $1,909,942.44. 

WHAT THE FIGURES PROVE. 

These statistics prove beyond an}'^ question that the banks of the city of St. 
Paul are carrying a vast business that extends far beyond the confines of Minne- 
sota ; that in fact the trade and commerce of the entire Northwest has made St. 
Paul its financial backer. Now, if this city has attained a position which gives it 
rank among the chief financial centers of the country^ about i.i nth among the 
cities of the United States — what are its possibilities when the empire tributary 
achieves development equal even to that of Wisconsin and Iowa? Even with far 
less proportionate wealth and population (which at the present rate will be attained 
by the Northwest within ten years) St. Paul will easily take third place among the 
monej'' centers, acknowledging only New York and Chicago as superiors. It requires 
no argument, in these days of money power, to convince the intelligent business 
man that where ever the financial center of a district is located, there also must 
concentrate the trade and manufacturing interests of the same region. In other 
words, St. Paul's acknowledged position as the moneyed power of the Northwest 
insures beyond any question its future and permanent supremacy in all other lines 
that contribute to the up-building of a mighty metropolis. Here, and here only, 
must be located every commercial, industrial and professional pursuit which hopes 
to prosper by Northwestern patronage. 

J>OCAL STATISTICS. 

In addition to the national banks of St. Paul there are four State banks with 
a capital of $850,000, and two ])rivate banks, each and all doing a large business. 
One of these State banks exceeds iii general resources one of the national l)anks. 
A new bank, with a <'ai)ital of several hundred thousand dollars, has just been organ- 
ized, but it does not llgure in the vei)ort of increase of capital, business, etc. The 
subjoined tables will give the details of increase in business, and will also atford 
information of the amount ol' capital, volume ol" ])usiness, etc., ol" the State bnnks 
located in St. Paul, iis well ;is of the nation;il banks. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS FINANCIAL RESOUECES. 



39 



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40 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS FINANCIAL EESOURCES. 



EESOURCES — EECAPITULATION BY TOTALS. 





18S2. 


1883. 


Increase. Decrease. 


Loans Rud discounts 


.f 10,870,091. 15 

1,634,512.49 

1,536.395.01 

1,142,477.56 

109,416.70 

18,727.61 

40,406.92 

49,675.10 


S13, 838,559. 14 

1,776,552.66 

1,964,407.27 

1,379,484.56 

252,605.02 

19,007.13 

43,412.87 

18,135.65 


$2,968,467.99 
142,040.17 
428,012.26 
237,007.00 
143,188.32 
279.52 
3,005.95 




Uni ed States and other bonds 

Cash . 




Due from banks and L. S. treasurer 
Real estate and fixtures 




Current exiiense'^ and taxes 




Overdraft^ 




Redemption fund 


$31,539.45 


Totals 


S:i5,401,702.54 


$19,292,164.30 

- 


$.3;922,001.21 


131,539.45 



LIABILITIES — EECAPITULATION BY TOTALS. 



1883. 



Increase. 



Decrease. 



Capital stock .$3,250,000.00 $5,550,000.00 $2,-300,000.00 

Surplus : 745,000.00 930,000.00 1X5,000.00 

Profits 382,433.78 450,1.32.85 67,699.07 

Circulation 554,780.00 656,080.00 101,300.00 

Deposits ' 10,395.724.70 11,5-53,617.32 1,157,892.62 

Re-discounts 73,764.06 1-52,-334.13 78,-570.07 

Totals $15,401,702.54 $19,292,164.30 $-3,890,461.76 



TOTAL BANKING CAPITAL OF ST. PAUL. 

By the tables above presented it will be seen that the total banking capital 6t 
St. Paul, state and national, is the magnificent .sum of $6,930,132.85, including 
.surplus and undivided profits, and that the total resources are §19,292,164.30. 

BANK BUILDINGS. 

The prosperity of St. Paul banking institutions is somewhat indicated by the 
number of splendid new bank edifices now building. The First National is just 
completing a structure at the corner of Fourth and Jackson .streets which has cost 
upward of 8100,000. The National German- American is building a bank .structure 
at the corner of Fourth and Robert streets which will be 100 x 150 feet, six .stories, 
and will cost over .S200, 000. The Merchants' National and Second National are 
already located in fine Ijuildings. The Bank of Minnesotii has just decided to build 
a $100,000 building, and the Capital Bank has plans perfected for a very fine new 
.structure. 



E(K)M FOR NEW HANKS. 

The figures given, indicating as they do the remarkable increase in banking 
business in St. Paul, are the best i)ossible argument that additional capital may b 
used to advantage in banking in tliis city. The cai)itali.st who comprehends the 
certjiinty ol' northwestern develojnnent need not be told that the present banking 
facilities of St. Paul will be unable to nu^et the trade re(iuirements of a very few 
yeiirs hence. In this line St. Pan! oilers inducements that the trained banker can- 
nf»t fail to ap])rcciat;'. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS SOCIAL ADVANTAGES. 



41 




THE ABOVE REPRESENTATION IS OF THE NEW BUILDING OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, CORNER 

OF FOURTH AND JACKSON. THE EDIFICE IS 50x100 FEET, FOUR STORIES, AND 

COST, EXCLUSIVE OF GROUND, OVER f 100,000. 



»©ci0:l ri(Ji\/QLr)i(2LQi 



dS. 



St. Paul may well claim special social advantages. It is the capital of the 
State, and is therefore the temporary residence, at least, of the State officials and 
their tamilies. It is the seat of justice of the commonwealth, and, therefore, the 
concentrating point of the talent and culture of the bar of the State. Here are 
located the federal officers who are intrusted with the business of the general gov- 
ernment. Near at hand, at Fort Snelling, are established the military head- 
quarters of one of the gi-eat departments of the army, affording in its officers and 
their families a select and cultured society. St. Paul is also the home of very 
many wealthy and retired gentlemen who have sought, with their families, the 
health-giving climate of this region, and find here educational and living advan- 
tages which induce permanent location. Further than the advantages thus men- 
tioned, the early settlement of the town was by a class of persons connected with 
the army or representing wealth enough to engage in the fur trade ; estab- 
lishing a nucleus of wealth and consequent social requirements that even to 
this day are apparent in the leading circles. The fact that St. Paul has always 
been the capital of Minnesota, of course attracted from the first whatever there 
was of culture and education in the immigration to the the new State. The gen- 
eral result has been the formation and continuence of as refined social circles as 
are to be met with in anv citv of the Union. 



)f. |^0:ui s l\(2[ilw(2iy C>ysterr), 



St. Paul is not only the railway center of the Northwest, but it is also one ot 
the chief radiating points of the grand system of American roads. Here are 
located the headquarters and principal terminus of the Northern Pacific, the 
shortest and most important route from the Mississij^pi valley to the Pacific coast. 
From this city the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba lines strike out to make trib- 
utary the great valley of the Red River of the North and the territory of Mani- 
toba ; and here are established the headquarters of the company, its shops and all 
its terminal facilities. In St. Paul also are the headquarters, sh ps, etc., of the 
Omaha line, which gives a through route to San Francisco considerably shorter 
than any from Chicago. Here are the shops, general offices and all terminal 
grounds of the St. Paul and Duluth road. Division offices of the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul are maintained here, while the same is true of the various other 
lines out of this city. Statistics given below will indicate somewhat the present 
importance of St. Paul as a railway center, but they cannot form anything more 
than a slight basis upon which to establish clear comprehension of the mighty 
future of the city as a railway metropolis when the now undeveloped empire West' 
and Northwest shall be afforded traffic facilities equal .to those of older sections of 
the Union. The country tributary to St. Paul is richer and far vaster than that 
from which Chicago has derived its greatness, and the day is not distant when this 
city will become an equally important railway center with Chicago. 

A brief official statement, with reference to railway constructio n in this 
country in 1882, conveys so clear a hint in regard to St. Paul's importance as a rail- 
way center that it may properly introduce the statistical information to be pre- 
sented in this chapter : 

"The number of miles of railway constructed in the United States during 1882 was 11,000, of 
Avhich 2,400 miles, or nearly one-fourth of the grand total, is credited to the system centering in 
St. Paul." 

At the present time there are five great railway systems in the United States, 
and five recognized railway centers. The order of rank in importance, accepted in 
commercial, as well as railway circles, gives Chicago and the Central system, first 
place ; New York and the Eastern system, second place ; St. Paul and the North- 
western system, third place ; St. Louis and the Southwestern system, fourth place ; 
and Cincinnati and the Southern system, fifth place. The position attained by St. 
Paul is practically the result of less than ten years development, for in 1873, the 
Northern Pacific — u])()n the bnilding of which the Northwestern system depended 
— was as much a failure as it now is a success. The map of "St. Paul Railways 
and their Connections," presented as an appropriate frontispiece to this pamj^hlet, 
will indicate somewhat the ma/e of iron tracks radiating to every point of the com- 
pass from this ccnlxir, but it can convey no idea of the boundless wealth of terri- 
tory, tiade and p()})ulati()n ma.d(; tri])utary by them to St. Paul. Neither will meie 
statistics of miles of railways ojjerated l)y this system suffice to give the reader a 
clear understanding of the magnitude of interests concentrated thereby in this city. 
To arrive at anything like an accurate a])preciation of the general situation, the 
reader must su]>i)lement tliis cha])ter by those referring to the territor\ tril)ulary 
to St. Paul, the location of the city, trade stati-stics, etc. 

MAIN LIXKS (!ENTIC1{IN(J IN ST. PAI'I.. 
There are now ten great corporations running regular trains into St. l*aul over 
their own and other lines, while thr(!e of them have two or more entirely distinct 

(42) 



44 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS RAILWAY SYSTEM. 



and diflferent routes to and from this point. The St. Paul Union Depot time table 
issued Jan. 1, 1884. gives the total number of passenger trains in and out of the 
depot daily (all but four of them between the hours of 6 a. m. and 9 P. M.) as one 
liundred and sixty-four, tabulated as follows : 

Number of 
Corporation. Passenger Trains. 

Chicaso, Milwaukee & St. Paul 50 

St. Paul, Minneapolis ct Manitoba 50 

Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis it Omaha 38 

St. Paul ct Duluth 14 

Minneapolis & St. Louis 8 

Northern Pacitic 4 

Total ; 164 

The recent annual report of Gen. Baker, railroad commissioner of Minnesota, 
gives the following statistics relative to mileage, equipment "and numljer of 
employees of the roads centering at St. Paul : 

GENKP.AL EQUIPMENT. 



NAME OF ROAD. 



No. of No. of No. of 

Employees. Locomotiv's Cars. 



Chicago, Milwaukee ct St. Paul 

St. Paul, Minneapolis it Manitoba 

<'hicago ct Northwestern ; 

Nortliern Pacific 

St. Paul ct Duluth 

Minneapolis it St. Lonis .'... 

Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis A- Omaha. 
Burlington, Cedar Rapids it Northern... 



Totals 64,153 212 61,872 



Of the total number of 64,153 employees, over 14,000 are employed Avithin 
the limits of the State of Minnesota; a very large proportion in St. Paul. 

Of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha trains, four of them are 
properly Chicago & Northwestern through trains, two are distinctively St. Paul & 
Sioux City, and two are utilized by the Wisconsin Central — now building its own 
line into this city. Of the Minneapolis & St. Louis passenger trains two are 
properly Burlington, and two Kock Island — thus affording passenger facilities by 
ten trunk lines that, by their connections, make available every mile of railway 
in America. So com})leteis the time table arrangement of the roads that scarcely 
an hour of the day i)asses without witnessing the arrival or departure of great 
through trains to Chicago. St. Louis, Omaha, Winnipeg, Lake Superior points and 
the Pacific coast. 

THE ROADS AND THEIR CONNECTIONS. 

\'>y riglit ol' direct importance to the future development of St. Paul, the North- 
ern Pacitic railway i.s entitled to lirst consideration in these pages. Here are all ol" 
the general oflic<'S of the great national highway, grouped together in one of the 
most costly and ini])osing railway office buildings in America. The edifice is four 
stories liigii, built of finest pressed brick, with Perth Aml)oy terra cotta trimmings. 
Ironts on Broadway and directly west on Fourth street, co.st !?>1()5,000, is absolutely 
fire j)roof, and is a model r)f convenience lor railway office use. St. Paul ])eing ofh- 
cially proclaimed th<- prin(ii)al terminus of the road it naturally followed that all 
of the slioj)s, terminal grounds, etc., would l)e located here. To that end the com- 
)tany wi.scl\ (i(t( rmincd to .secure acreage enough in St. Paul to evey avo;id the 
possibility ol Ixing < ramped lor terminal room, and therefore purchased nearly 



^ 




THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS RA LWAY SYSTEM. 



four hundred acres of land, one-half of which extends from the present business 
center of the city to extensive grounds in the northern portion of town, and two 
hundred acres adjoining the city limits on the west. The latter area is intended 
for stock yards, elevators, etc., vrhile the former will he devoted to shops, depots, 
warehouses, yard room and general terminal purposes. Leaving St. Paul, the 
tracks of the Northern Pacific extend in a northwesterly' direction to Brainerd. 
]SIinn. , whence a spur runs east to Duluth on Lake Superior : from Brainerd the 
line runs hut little north of west to Moorhead, where the Red river of the north is 
crossed and a direct west course is taken over the plains of Dakota. Entering 
Montana just beyond the crossing of the Little Missouri, the route is south of west 
up the valley of the Yellowstone to Livingston, when it runs northwesterly until 
Northern Idaho is crossed, where it turns southerly again to Ainsworth in Wash- 
ington, northerly to Tacoma and south to Portland, Oregon : thereby affording the 
shortest and best route from the valley of the jMississippi to the Pacific ocean, and 
(»pening up one of the most fertile and prolific regions of the earth. This is the 
main line of the Northern Pacific, with 1,701 miles operated, but it does not 
indicate the complete system of the company which, when feeders now under con- 
struction or contemplated are built, will increase the total mileage to 4, 000. 

ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS & MANITOBA. 

This system, with 1,329 miles of road operated, and a number of feeders under 
construction, is also distinctly a St. Paul road, having its headquarters in a fine 
block, built expressly for the purpose, on Fourth street, and all its shops and ter- 
minal facilities here. The president and j)rincipal officers of the company are long- 
time residents of this city. To the St. Paul, INIinneapolis & ]Manitoba company is 
the credit due of opening up the west and northwest jjortion of Minnesota and the 
Red river valley, and making tril)utary "Winnipeg and the British provinces. The 
corporation has two lines penetrating the region designated, and it is the gi-eat 
outlet of a vast agricultural region of almost limitless capacity, which is dependent 
whoUj' upon St. Paul as a ti'ade center. 

LAKE SUPERIOR ROUTES. 

St. Paul has two direct routes to Lake Superior points, and others are now 
building. The most important of these is the St. Paul & Duluth road, which, 
although operating over 200 miles of road, has a direct line of 155 miles in length, 
uniting St. Paul and Duluth. This route gives St. Paul cheap and eas}' access to 
lake navigation, with all of the advantages it may possess. Its headquarters and 
general offices are located on Fourth street, St. Paul, and while it now has exten- 
sive shops, it is preparing to build new ones of larger capacity. 

The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha also operates lines to Lake 
Superior, by one reaching Superior City, and the other Bayfield and Washburne. 

The completion of the Wisconsin Central will add still further to St. Paul's 
facilities for controlling the business of the Lake Superior region. 

SOITHEASTERN AND SOUTHERN LINES. 

It is fairly a network of iron tracks that center in St. I'aul from the east- 
southeast and south. Fir.st in importance is the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
with its two great routes — widely separated — leading from St. Paul to all points 
e.ost and south. By its river line all the Mississippi river towns, from La Crosse 
north, an-i)la(ed inclose connection with this city, while by the Prairie du Chien 
system tlu^ princi])al citiesof central and southern Minnesota are equally favored. 

Tlie Chicago. St. Paul, Minneai)olis and Omaha, together with the Chicago & 
Northwestern (coni])ris«'(l in one system) atfords (-(jual facilities with tlie Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul for reaching Chicago, and at the same time makes tributary 
t^> this city a large ])ortion of Wisconsin. The permanent head(juarters of the Chi- 
cago. St. i'aul, Minncai)olis tK: Omaha are located herein a line general office build- 



48 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS KAILWAY SYSTEM. 



ing, and its shops at this point are extensive. It is doing, and has done, more to 
make Northern Wisconsin tributary to St. Paul — to say nothing of the southwest 
— than any other corporation. 

By these lines and the Minneapolis & St. Louis and its connections, St. Louis. 
New Orleans and all Southern points are reached by several different daily trains on 
nearly air lines between St. Paul and the large Southern cities of the Mississippi 
valley. 

WEST AXD SOUTHWESTEEX EOADS. 

The due west and southwest are made accessible from St, Paul by the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern, which has penetrated as far west as Pierre on the Missouri 
river — half way across Dakota and just a trifle south of west of this city ; the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul/ which has also reached the Missouri at Chamberlain, 
and has still another line running due west from St. Paul to Aberdeen and other 
points in Dakota ; the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha running to Sioux 
City in Iowa, and thence to Omaha, and the direct route to San Francisco, opening 
up the entire southwestern part of Minnesota, Northwestern Iowa and Eastern 
Nebraska ; the Minneapolis & St. Louis running due south and combining with 
the Eock Island and Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern. 

LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS BY THE EOADS. 

The money expended by the St. Paul roads in 1882, in local improvements, 
aggregated $830,000. This sum was nearly doubled in 1883. The record for the 
two years is as follows : 

Road. 1882. 1883. 

Northern Pacific '. $ 250,000 S 750,000 

St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba -184,500 650,000 

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul . 90,000 

Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha 71,000 55,000 

St. Paul & Duluth 12,500 8,000 

Union Depot 12, 00 

Totals §1830,000 f 1,548,000 

NEW MILEAGE AND ITS COST. 

The total new mileage added to the St. Paul system in 1883 was 1.319, a> 
follows : 

Miles of 

Road. Track laid. Total cost. 

Northern Pacific 753 115,100,000 

St. Paul, Minneapolis cfe Manitoba 86 3,686.500 

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 170 2,710,000 

Chicago & Northwestern 141 2,500,000 

Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis A: Omaha 145 1,430,000 

St. Paul & Duluth 16 240,000 

Minneapolis &St. Louis 3 170,000 

Totals 1,319 125,836,500 

The total number of miles of road added to the St. Paul system during tht- 
pa.st three years IS 7,200. 

NEW ROADS NOW BUILDING AND PROJECTED, 

Complete as the St. Paul railway system seems, it is yet in its infancy. Proof 
of this is afforded in the present rush of new lines lor this center. All through 
the cold weather of the present Avinter surveying parties, representing different 
railway corjmiations, have been running and locating lines into St. Paul. 

CHICACiO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY. 

First is the Chicago. Burlington & Quinc^', which, under the charter of the 
Chicago, St. J'aul ct St. Louis, will (•oini)h'te its road to this city sometime during 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS RAILWAY SYSTEM. 49 

the coming .summer. The route ^yill be directly up the valley of the Mississippi, 
and will give an entirely new, direct and independent line to Chicago and St. 
Louis and the great general systems of this important corporation. St. Paul will 
be made its northern terminus, and it will add largely to the railAvay resources 
now enjoyed. Construction work is in progress. 

WISCOXSIX CENTKAL. 

Next is the Wisconsin Central, which has its survey from Chippewa Falls, Wis., 
to St. Paul completed (directly from the East), and expects to finish the road to 
this point before December. This line will give a new and direct road to the very 
heart of the Wisconsin pineries, will afibrd a new route to Milwaukee and a new 
line to Lake Superior. St. Paul will be its western terminus and will probably 
secure its most important shops. Construction work is to begin immediately. 

MINNESOTA <fe NORTHAVESTEKX. 

A very important new line, on which construction work will begin as soon as 
spring weather will permit, is the Minnesota & Northwestern, which is to run 
directly south from St. Paul to Mona, Iowa, to which point it will connect with the 
Illinois Central, and give a new and very direct route from St. Paul to the Gulf of 
Mexico. The name "'Minnesota & Northwestern" is supposed to be the style 
under which the Illinois Central prefers to work in reaching this city. The line is 
located, and work will begin this spring at the St, Paul end, St. Paul will be the 
principal terminus aside from Chicago. The local improvements required here 
will be extensive 

ST. PAUL EASTERN GRAXD TRUXK. 

This road is now building from Oconto, Wis., on the shores of Green Bay. 
directly west to St. Paul. It will be completed to Wausau, Wis., about 170 
miles, this season, when it will have access to this citj' over other lines. It will 
be completed to this point as soon as practicable, and St. Paul will then become 
its headquarters and principal terminus. It will not only afford the nearest route 
to a Lakt^ Michigan port (300 miles due east), but will tap every pinery in Wis- 
consin, and will give a short line to the iron and copper mines of Michigan. 

SAULT STE. MARIE, 
The Sault Ste. Marie road, which is to run from Minneapolis and St, Paul a 
trifle north of east across Wisconsin and northern Michigan to the Sault Ste. Marie, 
will also tap all of the pineries of Wisconsin and mines of Michigan, and will be 
a very important outlet to the East for Northwestern products. Work upon it will 
begin as soon as spring opens, and will be pushed with all possible vigor. It is 
said to be the purpose of this corporation to complete a line clear to the Atlantic 
seaboard. 

The above roads are certain to be built to or from St. Paul this season, with 
the single exception of the St. Paul Eastern Grand Trunk. Of roads that are 
known to be seeking direct entrance into St. Paul over their own tracks (and 
which are jDretty sure to be built within a few years), may be mentioned the Green 
Bay, Winona & St, Paul ; Davenport & St. Paul (old line revived) ; Eock Island ; 
line to Mille Lacs, tapping Minnesota pineries (recently organized), and the 
Chicago & Superior, whenever that project is pushed. 

Of roads now building in Minnesota one of the most important is the Duluth 
& Iron Eange v/hich is being pushed rapidly from Lake Superior to the great iron 
mines at Vermillion Lake. 

So far as railway facilities in Minnesota are concerned — making the vast 
resources of the State more or less directly tributary to St. Paul — a complete sum- 
mary is given in this terse sentence in the report of Railroad Commissioner Baker : 
■ 'Of the seventy-nine counties in the state, seventy-three are now supj)lied with 
reasonable railway facilities," 



50 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: THE COUNTRY TRIBUTARY. 

The statistics above given may prove somewhat bewildering to readers who are 
not familiar from personal observation with the gigantic railway development of 
the Xorthwest during the past few years, yet they are taken in all instances from 
official sources ; and they are as much an indication of w^hat the future is to vouch- 
safe to St. Paul in way of commercial greatness, as they are proof of what has 
already been accomplished. 



^reppilory - K^itufopy f© ^f. f^0:ul. 



The region directly, and in large part exclusively, tributary to St. Paul as a 
trade center by reason of its railway system, embraces the northern half of Wis- 
consin, ^Minnesota, a portion of Northern Iowa, Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, 
Oregon, Washington Territory, and Manitoba, and the northwestern part of the 
Dominion of Canada. The area of this district, exclusive of that of the Dominion 
of Canada, is over one-fourth of the entire area of the United States, and comprises 
the best agricultural, timber, grazing and mineral lands of the continent. Sta- 
tistics of square miles are as follows : 

Territory. No. Square Miles. 

Area of tlie United States .' • 2,936, 1G6 

Tributary to St. Paul. 

North half of Wisconsin 27,000 

^Minnesota 81,259 

Portion of Iowa 15,000 

Dakota 150,982 

Wyoming 97,883 

Montana 145,776 

Idaho 86,300 

Oregon 95,274 

AVashington 69,994 

Total area within United States 769,418 2,936,166 

Manitoba 154,411 

Total area tributary to St. Paul 923,829 

Including the British province of Manitoba, the area directly tributary to St. 
Paul is e(iual in extent to nearly one-third of the United States. It is only by 
comparison with other, and older and better known countries, that the real mag- 
nitude of this domain can be appreciated by the general reader. For instance, 
this northwestern empire might include within its boundaries all of Germany, 
France, Norway, Sweden, Holland and Denmark, and still have nearly ground 
enough left to make a second (lerman empire. In other words, the total number 
of square miles in Germany, France, Norway, Sweden. Holland and Denmark is 
741, f)();2, while the area of the district tributary to St. Paul is 928,829 s(iuare miles. 
Nor is mere extent of territory all that is to be considered, for there is more 
waste land (that it is not i)ossi])le to utilize for any purpose) in the combined 
European countries named tlian there is in the American domain under considera- 
tion. Of the two ])ortioiis of continents compared, the American is richer in gen- 
eral resources, and presents a ])ettcr average of climatic conditions. 

This vast region of immeasurable natural wealth is not only geographically 
tributary to St. I'anl, but T)y railways already con.structed it is united more closely 
to this city than to any otlier metropolis. Not only that, but all present and 
prosijcctive railway building throughout the Territory under dis(;ussion is projected 
on the Irasis of making St. Paul the priucipal terminus or de))ot. To arrive at 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL; THE COUNTRY TRIBUTARY. 51 



the exact relations of this domain with St. Panl, and the present and prospective 
importance to this city of that relationship, it becomes necessary to refer briefly 
to the various resources and development of the States and Territories specified, 
and to the railroad system which makes them tributary to this commercial center : 

XORTH HALF OF WISCONSIX. 

An hour's ride by rail on any one of three different railway lines will place 
the traveler in Wisconsin. Geographically, St. Paul is situate but a little north 
of the central east and west line of Wisconsin, and is, therefore, a much nearer 
market for the northern half of the State than is Milwaukee. It is only within a 
few years that the immense natural resources of Northern Wisconsin began to be 
appreciated, and hence its development was slow in comparison with that of the 
southern portion of the State. Within the last decade, howe\'er. Northern Wis- 
consin has step]Ded from the position of an almost unknown wilderness to an 
importance quite overshadowing the southern half of the commonwealth. All of 
the vast timber and mineral wealth of Wisconsin lies north of the center of the 
State, and is, therefore, tributary to 5t. Paul. These vast pineries now cut upward 
of two billion feet of lumber annually ; and while lack of r^dlway facilities, up to 
a few years ago, prevented this enormous product from seeking Northwestern prai- 
ries via St. Paul, the present lines now operated have turned a large portion to this 
market ; and railways now building will, within two years at most, give St. Paul 
practical control over the bulk of the immense lumber product of Wisconsin. Up 
to within a very few years, Chicago and St. Louis absolutely controlled the timber 
cut of Wisconsin, but now, even with present railway facilities, St. Paul is the 
largest market-factor in the calculations of the lumbermen of that State. At 
present lumber from a portion of the Wisconsin pineries may reach St. Paul by 
various lines of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha road and the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul ; and through connections may find this market from 
a number of interior lines. But the early completion of the Wisconsin Central to 
this point (now assured) will fairly lift the flood gates of Wisconsin's greatest 
product and pour its tide directly into this city. The building of the St. Paul 
Eastern Grand Trunk railway — from Oconto, Wis., to St. Paul — will connect 
every pinery of the sister State immediately with this market ; and the projected 
road to the Sault Ste. Marie (certain to be built within two years) will also become 
one of the great outlets for Wisconsin lumber. It is not too much to say that 
within two years St. Paul will easily control the entire lumber product of Wis- 
consin. 

Wisconsin is scarcely less oppulent in iron ores than she is in timber growth ; 
and as the mines of the State all lie in the northern portion, the same railway 
facilities that control the lumber cut will also make the iron mines tributary. 

The system of railways now developing will also place St. Paul in direct con- 
nection with the iron mines of the Peninsula of Michigan and the copper mines of 
Lake Superior. The day is not far distant, indeed, when both the iron and copper 
products of Michigan will find their nearest market in St. Paul. 

The rapid development of Northern Wisconsin has also placed a population of 
about 300,000 in quick communication and intercourse with St. Paul. The means 
of communication are perfecting daily, while even now more than one-half of this 
population consider St. Paul their natural metropolis. 

MINNESOTA. 

Minnesota, of which St. Paul is the capital, occupies very nearly the geograph- 
ical center of the continent of North America. The general physical character- 
istic is that of an undulating plain. It is the highest land between the Gulf of 
Mexico and Hudson Bay (average elevation above the sea, 1,000 feet) and foims 
the watershed of the three great river systems of the country. The general devel- 
opment of Minnesota is something wonderful, the population of the State having 
increased from 172,023 in 1860 to 780. 80G in 1880 and 1,000,000 (estimated) in 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: THE COUNTRY TRIBUTARY^ 



1883. Of the 53,353,600 acres comprising the area of the State, 2,700,000 acres 
are in beautiful hikes varjdug in size from one mile to thirty in diameter, and 
numbering no less than 7, 000 distinct bodies of spring-like water. It is estimated that 
of this total acreage over 15,000,000 acres are richest prairie, nearly all of which has 
been taken in small parcels by actual settlers. Minnesota, indeed, ranks among 
the very first wheat producing States of the Union, 40,000,000 bushels being an 
average yearly product ; while hay, oats, corn, potatoes, barley, rye and buck 
wheat follow in importance in the order named. Dairy products follow close upon 
the agricultural in value, while horse, cattle, sheep and hog products are yearly 
becoming of more and more importance. All in all, Minnesota is one of the fore- 
most agricultural States of the Union. Its natural wealth, however, is not con- 
fined to its iertile acres, for it is one of the great lumber producing regions of the 
country and has standing to-day as much pine timber as either Wisconsin or Mich- 
igan. In addition to the great bodies of pine, there are vast forests of choicest 
hardwoods which will ere long be a source of profit. Of late Minnesota is acquir- 
ing importance in an entirely unlookedfor direction, that of mineral wealth. It is 
now certain that the largest and most valuable iron ore deposit yet discovered in 
America is wholly within the limits of the State. Reference is made to the Ver- 
million iron mines, two hundred miles north of St. Paul, to which the Duluth 
& Iron Range railway is now building. These ores are inexhaustible, are the hard 
or specular hematite, and are said by experts to be the best Bessemer ores yet 
found in this country. The silver and copper mines of Minnesota are beginning to 
attract attention. From the Pigeon river, on the north shore of Lake Superior, t( 
Duluth at the head of the great lake, there have been numerous discoveries of 
both copper and silver mines, some of which are now being worked and promise to 
become important and profitable. An important resource of Minnesota lies in the 
splendid quarries of slate, granite, sandstone and limestone that abound in the 
State. On the St. Louis river the slate quarries are large and of good quality 
From the same region comes the Fond du Lac stone — purple sandstone — which is 
acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful building stones ever utilized. Min- 
nesota granite is already famous for its beauty and excellence, and is found in 
inexhaustible quarries of various colors, composition, etc., at Sauk Rapids. From 
Kasota is brought an orange-tinted sandstone of great durability. At St. Paul aie 
vast quarries of limestone. 

Minnesota combines, then, three great material resource of wealth and popula- 
tion, agriculture, lumbering and mining. The capablities of the State are practi- 
cally unlimited, as compared with sterile New England or restricted Middle 
States. It has developed railway facilities more rapidly than any Northwestern 
State, now having no less than six great trunk lines extending across the State 
from east to west, and southwest and northwest ; while it has two connections 
with Lake Superior by rail ; practically two with Winnipeg and the Dominion of 
Canada ; and the southern portion is fairly a net-work of iron tracks. There are 
now operated within the limits of Minnesota 3,578.33-100 miles of railway, cost- 
ing, with e(juipment, $150 071,150.44. Of this railway system St. Paul is the 
acknowhidged center. 

In addition to Minnesota's railways, she has transportation facilities byway 
of Lake SiijxTior, and five navigable rivers with a Avater line of over 1,500 miles. 

In way of i)ossibilities of development, Minnesota may easily rival any of the 
Eajstern or Middle States. The area of territory is greater than that of New York, 
New Jersey, Delaware, Massachusetts, (Connecticut and Vermont combined, and is 
more than (louble that of Ohio. 

I).\K()'I'A. ■ 

Dakota is the largest tciritoiy in the Union and is exceeded in area by only 
two States, 'j'exas and ("alifornia. It would make one hundred and nineteen states 
the size of Rhfxle Island : and thirty-two th<; size of Connecticut, The number of 
acres is f)f;.5J)f).480. This Territory, together with Minnesota, is the largest and 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: THE COUNTRY TRIBUTARY. 53 



best hard Avlieat producing country in the world. Of all this vast region of 
96,596,480 acres, by far the larger half is the very best agricultural or grazing 
land. In Northeastern and Southeastern Dakota the soil is a calcareous loam of 
great fertility, averaging several feet in depth. The western portion is particularly 
adapted to cattle raising. The future possibilities of the agricultural and grazing 
districts are incalculable. Dakota is also rich in minerals; coal is abundant on the 
Missouri river, iron, lead, salt and petroleum have been discovered, while the 
famous Black Hills district is one of the most productive gold regions in America. 
About 1,500 miles of railway now t averse the Territory, by means of which direct 
communication is had with St. Paul. No section of the United States is developing 
more rapidly in population than Dakota ; and it is the site of a future empire of 
boundless wealth directly tributary to this city. 

MONTANA. 

Montana comprises 92,000,000 acres of land — but little less than Dakota — of 
which 10,000,000 are classed as agricultural, 38,000,000 grazing; 12,000,000 pine 
timber, and 26,000,000 mineral and mountainous. Montana is now famous for its 
grazing advantages, and recent estimates place the present stock of cattle, sheep 
and horses at not less than 2,000,000 head. Montana has suddenly become, in 
fact, the rival of Texas and the Southwest as the cattle, sheep and wool producing 
section of the United States. The climate of Montana is much warmer than that 
of Eastern States in the same latitude, and is very dry, the rainfall rarely exceed- 
ing twelve inches per annum. While the snowfall is heavy in the mountains it is 
light in the valleys, and hence is favorable to stock-raising and agricultural pur- 
suits. It is one of the richest mining countries in the world, containing within 
its borders gold, silver, copper, lead, coal and other valuable minerals. Mining 
operations were begun in 1861, and it is estimated that nearly |200,000,000 worth 
of gold and silver has been obtained since that time. The Northern Pacific rail- 
way traverses Montana from east to west, thus affording an outlet to St. Paul of 
the vast and long-imprisoned wealth of this great Territory. With an area more 
than three times as great as that of New York, what may be expected of its possi- 
bilities of development? It already acknowledges St. Paul as its commercial 
metropolis. 

WYOMING. 

The area of Wyoming is 62,645,120 acres. It is asserted by those most 
familiar with the Territory that fully one-half of its entire area consists of grazing 
lands of the richest character. Its mountains are rich in minerals. Its chief 
attraction at present is the famous Yellowstone Park, reached by a branch road of 
the Northern Pacific from Livingston. Its herds nearly equal those of Montana. 

IDAHO. 
The Northern Pacific crosses the northern portion of Idaho. The area in 
acres is 55,228,160. The valleys are fertile, but it is in its mines that the wealth 
of this Territory exists. Just now the gold discoveries in the Cceur d'Alene range 
are attracting special attention. Idaho is remarkable for its majestic scenery, and 
will become a favorite resort for tourists. In mineral wealth it is probably unsur- 
passed by any of the western region. 

WASHINGTON AND OREGON. 

Washington Territory has an area of 45,000,000 acres, and Oregon 64,000,000. 
Washington and Oregon are usually styled the "Pacific Northwest," and are con- 
sidered richer in general and natural resources than almost any like area in the 
United States. While this region produces astonishing crops of wheat, oats, barley, 
rye, hops, etc. , its chief natural wealth is timber, of which it may be said there is 
absolutely an inexhaustible supply. It is claimed, indeed, that the finest body of 
timber in the world is embraced between the Columbia river and British Columbia, 
and the Pacific and the Cascades. The fisheries and mines are also of importance. 



o4 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. 



Imperfect as is this summary of the leading features of the vast Northwest, 
the reader will readily discover that it is a region of limitless possibilities of wealth 
and population. Unlike the region traversed by the Union Pacific, almost every 
mile through which the Northern Pacific runs is valuable for either agricultural, 
grazing, mining or lumbering purposes. This condition of things means that 
while it will ever be impossible to sustain a large population along the Central 
route to the Pacific, the territory of the Northern line will become in time densely 
peopled ; and St. Paul will continue to be the metroplis of this mighty region. 

MANITOBA. 

The British province of Manitoba joins Minnesota and a portion of Dakota on 
the north, and is nearly equal in area to Dakota, comprising 154,411 square miles. 
Its chief city, Winnipeg, is connected by rail with St. Paul — the only rail route 
south — so that the province is directly tributary to this city. Manitoba is almost 
one vast prairie, and will, therefore, in time become a great wheat producing 
district. The soil is of remarkable fertility, and rye, barley and potatoes are 
ensily raised, although wheat must ever be its chief production. Its mineral 
resources are also attracting attention, and marked indications of rich mines of 
precious metals have been found, the development of which has already begun. 
The country is settling rapidly and promises a notable advancement in general 
growth of wealth and population. Its entire trade is in or through St. Paul the 
greater portion of the year. 



bduc0:fi©r),0:i Kercilifies. 



It is fortunate for St. Paul that the leading and go^'erning minds in the public 
policy of the city have been in favor of unstinted means and measures for increas- 
ing and perfecting educational facilities, both public and private. The result is 
unsurpassed graded and high school advantages, and academic and collegiate 
opportunities. Persons who move trom Eastern cities to become residents of St. 
Paul are invariably surprised to find here finer, larger and more suitable school 
buildings than they have been accustomed to in their cultured homes in the older 
cities. They look with surprise upon a high school edifice which has cost $135,- 
000; they note with gratification buildings for graded school purposes that are 
valued at !t;60,000. When they discover that there are no less than seventeen of 
these costly jiublic schools already accommodating the children of the city, and 
five new ones to be constructed during 1884, their possible anticipation of having 
brought their children into a country cross-roads district to be educated is at once 
dispelled. Indeed, they soon learn that St. Paul, with the, liberality, energy and 
common sense of new Western towns, far surpasses the conservative expenditures 
of Eastern cities in the direction of general education. Wealth is acquired easily 
and ({uickly in a locality where development is so rapid as it is in the Northwest, 
and things which would be considered an extravagance in the older sections of 
country are here deemed of common necessity. This rule ai)plies to an admirable 
l)urpose when it serves (idiicatioual advancement, and nowliere is its application 
more evident than in St Paul. The aim, in fact, has l)een to develo]) here both 
j>ublic and i)rivate scholastic facilities etjual to any to b(i found in the country. It 
lias V)(;en a special endeavor on the part of ])r()minent and controlling citizens, 
without regard to religious or i)olitical considerations, to make the schools of St. 
Paul worthy the evident future of the city; and the success attained is a matter of 
just })ri(le. 



THE CTTY OF ST. PAUL: ITS EDUCATIONAL FAdLITIES. 



56 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. 



SCHOOL. 

Rice 


VALUE. 

$5,000 


River 


9 000 


Webster 


19,000 


^Vashington 


... 22 000 




4,n00 


Garfield 


18,000 




13,000 






Total 


S50:5,500 



THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Up to the present time St. Paul has expended over half a million dollars in 
substantial brick or stone public school buildings and sites, and expects to expend 
$100,000 the present season in the erection of five new structures. The present 
buildings and their cost are listed as follows : 

SCHOOL. VALUE. 

High School $135,000 

Franklin 60,000 

Humboldt 9,000 

Jetferson 45,000 

Jackson 13,000 

Lincoln 36,000 

Madison 50,000 

Monroe 15,000 

Neill 15,000 

Van Buren 35,000 

The structures to be erected this j'ear will be new Humboldt, Neill and Rice 
schools, a costly addition to the Adams, and a fine building in East St. Paul. 

The illustration of the high school presented herein does not do the structure 
justice, as a square front view shows the fine architecture to best advantage. The 
building is one of the finest of its class anywhere, and no expense has been spared 
in fitting and furnishing for the accommodation of pupils. 

The general educational system thus far adopted is that of the latest and most 
approved methods. 

The public; schools of St. Paul are not only serving admirable educational pur- 
poses, but they of late have afforded such special proof of increase of population 
in the city that a few statistics on this point may be presented. Up to three years 
ago (when the great and sudden increase in St. Paul's population began) the ten or 
twelve school houses then built were not only ample to accommodate all public 
school scholars, but it was thought that no more buildings would be needed for 
several years. In the spring of 1881, however, every school was crowded beyond 
its proper capacity, and it was concluded to erect new buildings as quickly as pos- 
sible. Among others, the large and costly Van Buren school ($35,000) was decided 
upon, and there Mas some objection to locating a building of such magnitude on 
the then sparsely settled Dayton's bluff. Even the school inspector for that ward 
argued that the edifice would amply accommodate all school purposes for the dis- 
trict for at least five years. . Much to everybody's surprise the great building was 
not oi)ly crowded to the exclusion of many scholars the very next year, 1882, but 
in the spring of 1883 a $1.'),000 addition was required; and even that has failed to 
meet the requirements of that locality, for now a new' building is to be built this 
s.eason in East St. Paul. The same rate of increase has applied to every other por- 
tion of the city, so that while the school house facilities have been very nearly 
doubled within three years, every edifice is crowded with pupils against only par- 
tially filled rooms up to 1881. The school statistics simply prove what other statis- 
tics argue, that St. Paul's population has more than doubled within three years. 

MINNESOTA'S PCBLIC SCHOOL FUNI). 

The public school fund of the State of Minnesota is one of the largest funds of 
its class. By a wise public policy in providing for future needs, tw^o sections of 
land in each township of tlic State were set apart and dedicated to the school fund. 
This gives one acre ol' giound out of each eighteen in the entire State to the pur- 
poses of gen(nal education. The result is th'it the general school fund of the State 
now amounts to nearly $(),00(),000. This vast sum will keep on increasing for 
many years. It is estitnated that the total school fund, when the lands are disposed 
of. will reach SI .-),(►()( >,(»()(). 

PAK()( HIAL AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS ANO ACAI)P:MrES. 

There are twenty-four private schools and academies in St. Paul. Among 
these the .\ca(l<'iiiy of St. .Fo.seph is prominent, having one of the largest and most 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES 




M W LM\LK^1T\ H4.I I , H^MIINt 



costly structures for its purposes to be found in the West. Besides English and 
classical academies, there are several first-class kindergartens, an art school, twq 
Lutheran schools and several German institutions. The parochial schools are all 
first-class and largely attended. 

MACALESTEE COLLEGE . 

Just beyond the city limits west, on what is called Snelling avenue, is located 
Macalester (Presbj-terian) college. The preparatory school of the college has Ijeen 
long in existence in St. Paul under the style of Baldwin school; and the college is 
in fact the outgro^vth of the success of that institution. The principal hall of the 
new college, costing about 830,000, has just been completed, and the formal open- 
ing will occur in September, 1884. Macalester has a fund of $75,000, besides a site 
of forty acres of land which has been platted into a beautiful park, and which is 
worth many thousand dollars. The college will speedily rank among the chief 
institutions of learning in the State, and ^vill afford convenient facilities for those 
who desire to educate their children in a school conducted under the auspices of 
the Presbyterian church. Rev. Edward H. Xeill is the president, and its trustees 
comprise many of the most prominent names in Minnesota. The college is a 
delightful half-hour's drive from the center of the city, or is reached by railway in 



58 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS CHURCHES. 



a few miuutes' run by trains that leave the St. Paul union depot every hour of 
the day. Letters of inquiry relative to jNIaealester college may he addressed to 
the president. St. Paul. ]Minn. 

HAMLIXE UXIVERSITY. 

Hamline university (Methodist Episcopal) is located on the St. Paul, Minne- 
apolis & Manitoba railway, just beyond the city limits of St. Paul, and is reached 
by hourly trains from this city in about twelve minutes. It is the oldest denom- 
inational institution of learning in ^Minnesota, having been chartered in 1854, and 
first established at Eed Wing, whence it was moved to St. Paul. The building 
represented by the foregoing cut is the new University Hall, recently completed 
and dedicated in January of the present year. 

The new hall is a large and commodious structure, admirably adapted to the 
purpose for which it is designed. The Ladies' Hall of the institution is also a fine 
building, and provides accommodations for sixty -five students. Between these two 
main buildings is situated the laboratory, well supplied ^vith the most modern 
chemical and philosophical apparatus. About 135 students have been in attend- 
ance the past year. The total expense for a student for the entire year need not 
exceed S190. The university has an endowment (productive and unproductive) of 
S135,000. Information relative to Hamline university may be had by addressing 
Eev. Dr. G. H. Bridgman. president Hamline university, St. Paul, Minn; 

XEW IXSTITUTIOXS PEOJECTED. 

The Baptists of ]\Iinnesota are contemplating the establishment of a college, 
and the proposed site is midway between Hamline and Macalester. The Scandi- 
navians are also moving in the matter of removing an institution now located in 
Chicago to St. Paul. The Catholic church has a splendid site for a college on Lake 
Johanna — the front to be on Snelling avenue, upon which the colleges now estab- 
lished are located — and a large institution will undoubtedly soon be founded at 
that point. 



g)l. Jfauls £\)UTc\)i 



The religious inspiration to which the city is indel)ted for its very name, has 
marked the character of ever}' era of St. Paul's development. The result is not 
only a city of churches — for there are seventy church edifices now built, or in 
process of construction — but a municipality less tainted with crime, disorder, 
])auperism and suftering, than most places of its population. The church edifices, 
as a cla.ss, are at least average structures in size and cost, while the societies, of 
Avliatever denomination, are growing and prosperous. 

PRESBYTERIAN AND CONGREGATIONAL. 

There are six Presbyterian and four Congi'egational societies, with theij- 
churches so located that every section of the residence localities is convenient to a 
liouse of worshi}). Several of the societies are very wealthy, and all are flourish- 
ing. As an illustration, the membership of the House of Hope society (Presbyte- 
rian) is nearly 600. 

METirODlST EPISCOPAL. 
'J'Ik- Methodist 10])isco])al (;hnrches number twelve, of which two are German, 
two Scaiuliiiaviaii. and one African. The leading societies have membershi]) ol 



60 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS CHUKCHES. 



from 200 to 350. One of the principal educational institutions in the state, Ham- 
line university, located just outside the city limits of St. Paul, is a monument to 
the prosperity and energy of the Methodist denomination of the State. 

EPISCOPAL. 

Some of the Episcopal parishes are among the oldest church organizations in 
the west. The churches number eight, all wealthy and prominent among the 
religious societies of the city. The leading church has about 600 communicants. 
The parochial schools are excellent, and are well sustained. 

BAPTIST. 

The Baptist organizations number six, and are among the strongest societies in 
the city. The First Baptist church, with a membership of nearly 500, is one of 
the notable edifices of St. Paul. There is one German Baptist church, and one col- 
ored. The societies are all notably prosperous, and there is almost a certainty that 
a Baptist college will be located in this immediate vicinity this summer. 

LUTHEKAX. 

There are no less than nine Lutheran churches, with an average membership 
exceeding any denomination except the Catholic. There are four German Luth- 
eran, two Norwegian, two Swedish, and one Danish. The Lutherans are now 
negotiating for a site for a college. 

CATHOLIC. 

St. Paul offers exceptional advantages to Catholic residents. There are nine 
Catholic churches, and one (German) in process of erection. In four of the churches 
the congregation is English speaking : in two, German ; in one, Polish ; in one, 
French ; and in one, Bohemian. All of the churches except the Bohemian have 
parochial schools connected with them. There are also two first-class, select, female 
academies in which the courses are thorough and complete. Connected with the 
various churches are total abstinence, benevolent, literary and charitable societies, 
all in flourishing condition ; the total number of Catholic societies in St. Paul being- 
twenty -six. The Catholics also sustain a large hospital, under the charge of the 
Sisters of St. Joseph; two orphan asylums (German and English), a House of the 
Good Shepherd, or female reformatory; and a Home for the Aged under the direc- 
tion of the Little Sisters of the Poor. Seventeen priests minister to the spiritual 
needs of the Catholics of St. Paul. Two of the churches have a membership of 
over 4,000 each. Among the most widely known Catholic prelates of this country 
are Bishop Grace and Bishop Ireland of this city. Catholics who desire further 
information in this regard than here presented, may address the editor of NortJi- 
ivesfeni Chronicle, St. Paul, Minn. 

UNITARIAN. 

The Unitarians have a beautiful church edifice and a large, flourishing society. 
No organization was perfected here until 1872, but since that time it has made 
rapid advancement. 

EVAN(iELICAL. 

There are three Evangelical churches and one I'nited Evangelical, all well 
sustained. 

HEBREW. 

There are two Hebrew congregations, and a fine synagogue was completed in 
]h82. The congregations are wealthy and the societies prosperous. 

SVVEDENBORGIAN. 

This faith is represented ])y one society, which was organized in Ir^?:}. * 

IJKNEVOLKNT AND CHARITAHLE SOCIETIES. 

There are a number of important benevolent and charitable societies, other 
tlian those mentioned in the suminarv of Catholic institutions above given. The 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS INCREASE IN POPULATION. 61 

Protestant Orphan Asj'lum was organized in 1865 and is conducted by a number 
of the wealthiest ladies of the city. It is a model institution of its class. St. 
Luke's Hospital is sustained by the Episcopal church, and is an institution of 
recognized service by all classes of citizens. There is a well-managed Swedish 
hospital at Lake Como. One of the most meritorious institutions in St. Paul is 
the Woman's Christian Home. The Home for the Friendless and the Magdalen 
Home are two institutions which are accomplishing more of good than could well 
be expressed in the limits of these pages. In this connection should be mentioned 
the temperance work of Bishop Grace and Bishop Ireland. The world is familiar 
with the general work in this direction of these distinguished prelates, but it can- 
not know how much has been accomplished for St. Paul. The notable rarity of 
burglaries, night assaults and crime generally in this city is believed to be largely 
due to the organization and maintenance of temperance societies, which have 
made sc res of persons prosperous citizens, who might otherwise have been 
reduced to law-breaking in any of its countless forms. 

All in all, the religious and moral influences of St. Paul are of a character to 
satisfy the most prudent and consciencious. 



r\err)ciFl^(2rJ3le [t^ctzqlsz ir) |^©pul0:}io] 



Statistics of increase in population are more readily applied, as a rule, in 
forming an estimate of a city's growth, than are figures relating to general busi- 
ness development. The reader's attention is therefore directed particularly to 
subjoined statements, which are, in every instance, taken from official sources. To 
begin with, the population of St. Paul increased more than 100 per cent between 
the summer of 1880 and the spring of 1883, or in less than three years. The 
United States census for 1880 placed the number of inhabitants in St. Paul at 
41,498, while the city directory of that year gave 16,399 names. The directory 
for 1883 contained 35,351 names, or 2,553 more than double the number of 1880, 
so that the actual per cent of increase in the three years was a fraction over 112 
per cent. L^pon this showing it is unhesitatingly declared that St. Paul has estab- 
lished a record of growth in population which has never been equaled by a city of 
similar size in the history of this countr3^ At this time the publishers of the city 
directory are canvassing for the issue of 1884, and from them it is learned that the 
ratio of increase which marked 1881 and 1882 was fully maintained during the 
past year, and that the forthcoming volume will demonstrate beyond any possibil- 
ity of doubt that the population of St. Paul is now considerably more than 100,- 
000. However, the estimates of population here given, in order to be entirely 
within bounds, will be made upon the basis of the directory of last year. To 
reiterate, the number of names in the directory for 1883 was 35, 351 . In Chicago, 
Cincinnati, Cleveland, Buffalo and Kansas City the multiple 3^^ is used in deter- 
mining population from number of names in respective directories. On this basis 
the population of St. Paul would be 123,728. This multiple, however, is believed 
to be too large, especially for western cities, and so the conservative rule adopted 
by Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Denver, etc., is here used. The towns last named ap- 
ply the multiple three, and on the same basis of calculation St. Paul has a popu- 
lation of 106,053. With the usual conservatism of the people of the city, the 
general rule, Avhen speaking upon this subject, is to place the number in even 
figures, at 100,000. It must be borne in mind, however, that these calculations 
are on the basis of data secured almost a year ago, and it is certain that the actual 
population of the city now exceeds the figures given. 



(j2 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS INCREASE IX POPULATION. 

COMPARISONS WITH OTHER CITIES. 

In the endeavor to realize the recent wonderful growth of St. Paul, compar- 
ison with the increase in population of other cities will serve a pui^jose. For 
instance, the increase in names in the St. Paul directory for 1883 over 1882 was 
1,610 more than the increase in Chicago for the same time. In other words, St. 
Paul added 4,800 more to its population than did Chicago, notwithstanding the 
disparity in size of the two cities. If this ratio of increase is compared with rel- 
ative population, it will be seen that St. Paul's gain is manj^ hundred per cent 
greater than that of Chicago. 

Inasmuch as this phenomenal development has occurred within three years — 
for previous to 1880 the city's growth was hardly up to the average of western 
towns — it is impossible to calculate what the result in the immediate future will 
be. It is pretty certain, however, that the remarkable ratio will continue right 
along for several years, at least, as it is not at all in excess of requirements that 
will be made, from this time forward, upon the acknowledged metropolis of the 
equally developing region between St. Paul and the Pacific coast. Present indi- 
cations, indeed, are that the influx of population this season will be greater than 
ever before. 

GROWTH BY YEARS. 

The following figures will afford information concerning the growth of popu- 
lation by decades up to 1880, and the subsequent increase by years: 

Year. No. Inhabitants. 

18o0* ' : 840 

ISfiO : 10,600 

1870* 20,300 

1880* : 41,498 

1881 50,900 

1882 75,835 

18 3 106,053 

* riiited States census. 



l\ivcF r]?(2i:jjic. 



From the middle of April to the middle of November, or more than one- half 
the year, St. Paul enjoy.s uninterrupted steamboat communication with all towns 
on the lower Mississippi. * No less than seventeen steamboats ply regularly on the 
lines out of St. Paul. This trafiftc is now steadily increasing, and when the great 
reservoir system, now being constructed by the goxernment. on the head-waters of 
the river. Is comi)leted, it will, by afibrding a steady guard against exceptionally 
low water, largely stimulate the carrying trade of the water route. The steamers 
of the St. Paul lines are largely patronized by passengers during the summer, and 
afford the most pleasant means of journeying for tourists and summer resort 
))atrons. The river route will ever protect St. Paul from any possible form of 
Creight-carrying extortion. It is also believed that the day will soon come when a 
fair portion of the wheat product of the Northwest will find chea]) transportation 
to European markets via the riv(M- to New Orleans, and thence ))y ocean ve.s.sels to 
Liv<'ri>ool. 

In addition to the Mississippi river navigation, steamers x>ly from St. Paul to 
St. Croix river points, thus tapping the ])ineries of Northeastern Minnesota and 
Northwestern Wisconsin. 

Navigation of the Minnesota river, which emiities into the Mississippi just 
above this city, is imicticable, and by means of which the very interior of the state 
is readied; l)iit railway facilities ;ire so comi)lete Dial Ihe servicesof the Minnesota 
are not ealled into recjnisition. 

*Th»'icc moved out of the riv.r lliis year, iss:;, March 26. 



THE CTIY OF ST. PAUL: ITS BUJLDING HtlCOkD. 



63 




sT. PAUL HOME. — RESIDEKCE OF COMMODORE >', W. KITTSON, CORNER SUMMIT AND DAYTON 
AVENUES. BLILT OF CUT KASOTA STONE. COST, EXCLUSIVE OF GROUNDS, ^150,000. 



I^uildiriq r\cviGW. 



The number and value of new buildings erected in St. Paul during tbe past 
two years and i^rojected for the season of 1884 may be taken as one of the most 
positive proofs of the recent marvelous development of the metropolis of the Xorth- 
west. Three years ago the building improvements in this city were not of impor- 
tance enough to be alloted space in the annual report of the Bradstreet Commer- 
cial Agency ; yet in that concern's building review for the third quarter of 1883, 
St. Paul is given fourth place among American cities in the amount of money 
expended in new buildings — New York, Chicago and Cincinnati leading in the 
order named. The figures, however, in detail, are of most interest and impor- 
tance. 

bradsteeet's eepoet. 

Bradstreet says: " The order in which the cities ranked (so far as reported) 



64 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS BUILDING EECORD. 



during eight montlis in 1883, based on tlie gross amounts expended by each in 
building, is shown as follows: 

New York $37,207,112 ! Kansas City $ 2,000,000 

Chicago 12,780,000 Grand Rapids 2,000 000 

Cincinnati 11,000,000 j Toledo 1,490,000 

.St. Paul 9,580,000 Pittsburg 1,420,000 

Minneapolis 8,310,000 j Memphis 1,-300,000 

Cleveland 3,750,000 Indianapolis 1,2.50,000 

New Orleans 3,000,000 Burlington , 1,100,000 

Denver 3,000,000 : Milwaukee 1,070,000 

Des Moines 2,7.50,000 j Nashville 1,050,000 

Detroit 2,.580,000 ; 

ANALYSIS OF THE FIGURES. 
The town-, theiL which three years ago was itnimportant to Bradstreet's 
report, now expends annually three-fourths as much money in upbuilding as Chi- 
cago, presses closely upon the energy of Cincinnati, and completely overshadows 
Cleveland and New Orleans by more than three-fold. Milwaukee, Indianapolis, 
Na.shville. Pittsburg and other reputed prosperous and growing cities sink into 
positive insignificance in the light of Bradstreet's report. Significant as the above 
figures are, they do not tell the full story of St. Paul's building growth, for the 
reason that the marked development in this line has not been confined to a portion, 
merely, of 1883, but began in 1881, continued in 1882, increased to the splendid 
results of 1883, and bids fair to eclipse all previous work in the present season of 
1884. 

EECENT BUILDING GROWTH. 

Up to the beginning of 1881, St. Paul's upbuilding naturally kept pace with 
its steady but not rapid growth in other ways. Then came, or rather began, tliat 
remarkable general development which in three ^ears doubled the population of 
the city. The year 1881 scored a total of 1,161 buildings erected, of Avhich 1,00(> 
were residences, and the total cost was $4,571,700; while the past year surpassed! 
that record by about 200 per cent. The tabulated statement will illustrate: 



YE.\R. 


No. Busi- 
ness 
Houses. 

189 
284 
434 


No. Resi- 
dences. 


Public 
Buildings. 


Total No. 
Buildings. 


Aggregate 


1881 


1,000 
2,178 
3,124 


13 


1,161 
2,481 
3,607 


$4,571,700 


1882 

1888 


8,399,000 
11,938,950 







It will be seen by the figures presented that St. Paul has, within three years, 
erected 807 business houses, 91 public buildings, and 6,302 residences — a total of" 
7.209 structures — at an aggregate cost of $24,909,650. If figures ever ^ 'speak for 
themselves," they certainly do in this instance. They j)rove conclusively that St.. 
Paul is growing more rapidly (in proportion) than any other city in the country;; 
for while three cities lead this in actual })uilding expenditure, the ratio of increase^ 
in building operations for the year as compared with the preceding season, is sev- 
eral times greater in St. Paul than in any one of its rivals. Remarkable as this 
>>uilding growth has been it has not kept pace with the actual living and business 
rc(juirciiients of the incoming ]K)])ulation, for there is all the time an unsui)plied 
demand for houses and ])usin(!ss places. The present season of 1884 has opened 
with even greater building ac.tivity than chara(;terized the season of 1883, and 
architects and builders agree that this will ))eii much more important building year 
than any St. J*aul has ever known. There are now in i)rocess of construction a very 
large number of sphnidid business blocks ; and the cost of those now building — to 
say nothing of tho.se i)rqje(rted, and ui)on which work will begin this year — will 
be upward ()r !!;:'>, 000. 000. From work now in progress architects and builders. 
>M-licvc that the I. wilding record of 1884 will aggregate at least $13,000,000. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS REAL ESTATE. 65 

CHARACTER OF BUSINESS BLOCKS. 

The general style and size of business Mocks that have been erected in St. 
*aul within the past two years, would do credit to the architecture of the best 
luilt city in the country. Nearly all of the large number of blocks built in the 
•usiness district since 1881 have been five stories in height, and finished, both 
sdthin and without, in costlj' style and most approved modern adaptations to the 
(articular uses of the structure, whether for wholesale, retail or apartment pur- 
toses. Anything less than a 5^50,000 structure is now deemed of little importance, 
rhile many blocks costing from $100,000 to |250,000 have been built, or are in 
ome stage of progress. All of the business blocks now building are faced with 
he finest pressed brick obtainable, while trimmings are of terra cotta and different 
:inds of stone found in Minnesota, including granite, Kasota sandstone, Fond du 
^ac (purple) sandstone, or jasper from Sioux Falls. The illustrations presented of 
aisiness houses will give a correct idea of the class of buildings built recently in 
his city. At the present time the most important structure in j)rocess of con- 
traction is the Hotel Ryan, to cost |1, 000, 000. The aggregate street frontage of 
•usiness blocks erected during 1883, or now in j)rocess of erection, is over two 
iiiles. 

PRIVATE RESIDENCES. 

St. Paul has for many years ranked as " a wealthy city ' ' in the sense that it 
las very many capitalists in proportion to population. It is, therefore, to be 
xpected that it should even now be a place of palatial residences. It may sur- 
)rise the general reader to learn that $15,000 to $20,000 mansions are quite com- 
iion in St. Paul, yet such is the fact, while many are now building to cost from 
^30,000 to $75,000 each. A view of the residence of Commodore Kittson is pre- 
ented as a means of identifying the general style of the best class of Summit 
venue (the most select residence street) homes. The edifice, exclusive of grounds, 
■est $150,000. However, it is in the general character of medium houses that St. 
^'aul attracts most favorable comment from visitors, who are invariably surprised 
find the most compactly built residence portion, St. Anthony hill, to be covered 
nth dwellings ranging in cost from $5,000 to $15,000, exclusive of grounds. 

In general, visitors admit that St. Paul is a splendidly built city thus far ; 
ind residents know that there is marked improvement in this regard year by year, 
rhe recently built porticm of town, whether business or residence, will compare 
"avorably with the best work in modern cities. 



1\C0:1 -Qsfiafe. 



Real estate for several years prior to 1881, had been entirely inactive in St. 
^aul, and as a natural consequence the great bulk of realty was owned by residents, 
peculators having quitted the market years before. The result of this has been 
hat long-time residents have profited by the recent rise in values and have been 
I'ble, by releasing a portion of their holdings, to make improvements that could 
jOt otherwise have been made. This accounts in great degree for the enormous 
iP-building that has been carried on during the past three years. The increase in 
Property values has simply made St. Paul owners several times richer than they 
'ere in 1880. Every dollar invested by capitalists, or expended in the purchase 
-f a lot for business or residence purposes, has simply augmented by so much the 
orkiiig or improvement capital of the city. While the city's growth has been 
sally wonderful, real estate values have never reached the "boom" condition 



(36 THE CITY OF ST. PAIL: ITS HP:ALTHFULNESS. 



whicli has ruined so many small western towns. All along tbere has been a con- 
servative policy on the part of business men generally, which has militated against 
uudue excitement in this line. The consequence is that realty values are yet much 
lower in St. Paul than in most cities of its size, to say nothing of its prospects. 
Indeed, realty holders have not as yet discounted the future. Actual prices, how- 
ever will best illustrate. Property within a block and a half of the new $1,000,- 
000 hotel can be bought for less than $225 per front foot ; property on Fifth 
and Sixth streets, in what is properly the wholesale district, can be had 
at from $175 to $300 per front foot ; the very best vacant property 
in St. Paul can be bought for $500 per front foot; residence lots in the choicest 
district of the city, 50x175 feet, can be had at from $1,600 to $2,500; lots 40x125 in 
districts where workingmen have located are plenty at from $175 to $300 ; good resi- 
dence lots in medium districts range from $400 to $1,000. Outlying business lots, on 
Seventh street. Rice street, or other thoroughfares leading out of the city, may be 
had from $600 to $1,500. Acre property, adjoining the city limits, is held at $200 
to $1,000 per acre. Within four or live miles of the city good land may be bought 
for $50 per acre, while first-class lands for garden or farming purposes within ten or 
twelve miles of the city may be had at from $20 to $25 per acre. These prices are 
cheap, considering St. Paul's present development, and are certainly worth the atten- 
tion of capitalists who can comprehend the future possibilities of this city and the 
Northwest. There is no other city of equal size and evident prospects where real 
estate is so low priced. The field of investment is fertile, and will jdeld large 
returns. Business for the present year promises to equal, if not surpass, that of 
last year, when the aggregate sales amounted to $12,981,331. Compared with 1882 
the statistics of sales are as follows: 

No. Deeds. Consideration. 

1883 »4,874 $12,981,;«1 

1882 4,447 9,834,841 

Increase in 1883 427 $ 3,62(5,490 

In this connection, it should be stated that there is no speculating in St. Paul 
in w'hcit are termed option contracts ; a species of real estate gambling common in 
some Northwestern cities. It is also to be noted that property is not heavily 
mortgaged. Taxes are light, for the reason that assessed values are A-ery low in 
comparison with actual selling prices. 



peizrlf^ ©j C)I. Tfciul, 



Invalids in search of health find it in St. Paul, if relief to their individual 
ailment is to be discovered in this world. Those who have never suffered 
illness or disejtse are equally interested in vital statistics which suggest a locality 
where immunity may be longest enjoyed. Recent official reports prove that this 
is the healthiest city on the continent, but they do not explain why St. Paul is so 
comparatively free from disease and death. It is now universally known that per- 
fect drainage is one of the best guarantees of good health to the peo])le of a large 
city. In this respect the site of St. Paul may l)e said to be perfect, for there is not 
a district of the city that does not enjoy natural drainage. This has enabled engi- 
neers to perfect a sewer system which is unsurpassed by that of any other place. 
How free from the objections that ])ertain to the sewerage of cities built upon a, 
plain, the St. Paul system is, it may be mentioned that in a population of 100,000 
tliere were only 22 cases of diphheria during 1883 along the sewer lines of the 
city. Good sewerage gives health to large centers of population, and that of St. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: I'i'S CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. (j7 



Paul is absolutely perfect. The elevation of all parts of the city above the ri\er 
insures for time to come easy disposition of the sewage, no matter to what extent 
population may increase. So far as climate is concerned, its salubritj' is famous 
the world over. The atmosphere is as dry as that of mountainous regions, without 
the rarity of great elevations which induce heart disease and nervous comj)lications. 
Physicians have for many years advised St. Paul residence for persons suffering 
from pulmonary disease, and the efficacy of the prescription is attested by thou- 
sands of improved cases. Strangers visiting St. Paul invariably note the health- 
glowing complexions of young people who have grown up here from birth or child- 
hood. It is the result of dry, pure atmosphere and absence of malaria. The dry- 
ness of atmosphere is illustrated by the fact that it is difficult to make new arri- 
vals from the south or east, in winter time, believe that they experience cold 10° or 
15° below zero when the mercury demonstrates that such a degxee really exists : 
for that degree of cold is not so uncomfortable here as zero would be in the lake or 
seacoast regions. In general terms, so far as cold is concerned, the average winter 
weather at St. Paul is far more comfortable than that of Boston, New York or 
Chicago Another advantage St. Paul enjoys is the puritj' of its water supply ; 
the city water being taken from a group of lakes that are in tact a series of gigantic 
springs. 

STATISTICS. 

On this point, however, the reader will naturally desire to consider official sta- 
tistics. By those presented it will be seen that St. Paul is without a rival: 

Average annual death-rate per 1,000 inhabitants of leading American cities for 
the year 1883: 

St. Paul 11,72 Boston 23.10 

Milwaukee 19.30 Baltimore 25.25 

Cincinnati 19.50 New York 25.30 

Chicago 20.70 New Orleans :>4.83 

Philadelphia 21.70 Average death rate the world over 22.00 

San Francisco 20.80 

This showing is altogether satisfactory, yet it is unjust to St. Paul's almost 
perfect healthfulness in that the rate is increased here by the deaths of many inval- 
ids who seek recuperation, when they are at death's door before they conclude to 
try this locality. 

It should be noted particularly that, by reason of its perfect drainage St. Paul 
is comparatively free from fevers of a typhoid character that have at times pervaded 
neighborhoods that are so situated as to make it impossible to secure proper sew- 
erage. 



Y9<2^ ferer)er(zi:l fe<lirr)0:fe ©f L^iiriri^sofa. 



The fact that Eastern and Southern physicians recommend their patients Avho 
are affliccted with pulmonary symptoms to ' ' try the climate of Minnesota ' ' is e^d- 
dence enough of the salubrity of atmosphere characteristic of the State. The 
chief merit of Minnesota's atmosphere is its dryness, which precludes the pesti- 
lential "muggy" heat of more southern latitudes, or the chilling cold of the lake 
and ocean regiont. This freedom from moisture does not come from raritv- of the 
atmosphere, so fatal to persons who have a tendency to heart difficulties or disease, 
but is due to the prevailing winds, which, coming from the west, do not have 
opportunity to gather dampness from passage over a large body of water. The 
result is that the actual mercurial temperature of either summer or winter does 
not convey to the Eastern or Southern resident anything like a correct idea of the 



68 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS CLIMATIC CONDITIONS. 

effect of that temperature upon liumanity, animal or even vegetable life. For 
instance, a temperature of 98° in midsummer would not be so oppressive in St. 
Paul as 90° would be in Chicago, as a point in the lake region, or New York, as a 
point on the Atlantic. On the other hand, a temperature of 20° below zero in 
Minnesota in winter would not inconvenience a person or animal so much as zero 
would in any of the Middle or Eastern States; that is, if it were possible to subject 
a person to a temperature of zero in New York, at the next moment subject him 
to a test of 20° below zero in St. Paul, the individual so tested would undoubt- 
edly say that he felt less discomfort in the St. Paul temperature. There is so little 
dampness in the atmosphere of this region that there is no chilling effect even in 
the very coldest weather experienced. Animals bear abundant evidence of the 
salubrity of this climate, for they are seldom or never seen to shiver as 
they do in j)l^ces where the air is laden with moisture. People who 
come here from the East, where . great care is exercised to prevent vegetables 
freezing in cellars in the winter time, are invariably surprised, after noting the 
degree of cold registered by their thermometer, to find that their cellars are warm 
and their winter stores safe. The reason of this is that the cold is not, to use the 
popular expression, penetrating; that is, there is no inoisture-burdened cold to work 
its way through the very stones, and blast everything with its chilling breath. It is 
maintained, therefore, and the action of physicians in sending patients here to 
recuperate is proof of it, that the average winter climate of Minnesota is not so 
severe as that of the Eastern States. So far as what is termed "pleasant weather" 
is concerned, St. Paul and Minnesota may safely challenge comparison with any 
section of the Union. To illustrate, spring opens with bright, clear, warm days 
ab®ut the first or tenth of April. The sun shines, the air is balmy, and one feels 
that he is safe from the very possibility of death-dealing fogs and marrow-chilling 
mists. There has been no gradual breaking up of winter with alternate sleet, hail 
or snow, but a sudden transition it almost seems (strangers invariably comment upon 
this) from bracing winter weather to growing spring time. Anything like what is 
termed a "wet spell" in the East or South is almost unknown. From the time 
spring opens one is assured of delightful weather— the spring and summer rains 
are never protracted — until past the middje of November (and often far into 
December), the last few weeks of fall being termed "Indian summer " and provid- 
ing the most exquisitely delightful days imaginable. When winter assumes con- 
trol it is done quickly, and here again the transition is marked. But winter in St. 
Paul does not signify daily and hourly dribblings of snow and sleet, but clear, 
crisp days with bright sunshine, and nights of moonlight and starlight such as are 
never dreamed of in atmospheres surcharged with dampness. Cold weather, then, 
does not count against pleasurable existence, but favors it as ( ompared with the 
changeable temperature and degrees of humidity of Southern latitudes and Eastern 
longitudes. In other words the winter climate is even, free from rain, and is 
advantageous every way to health, labor and business. It is desired particularly 
to call the attention of artisans and workingmeii to the fact that owing to the few 
rainy days of summer and the few blustering days of winter, that in all out-of-doors 
pursuits a larger number of days can be put in during the year than in most other 
localities. 

The summer months are voted "perfect" by the large and yearly increasing 
tlirong of summer visitors, who now fre([uent the fashionable resorts in St. Paul 
and vicinity; and if these same visitors would remain through the glories of one 
Indian summer and the healtli-giving months of a bright, crisp, invigorating 
winter, they would be unwilling to give up residence here for the mud, slop and 
chills of their own less favored localities. 

So far as general healthfulness of climate is concerned, the fact that St. Paul's 
deatli-rate for the past year was l)ut 11. (;5 per 1,000 of po])ulatiou against 24.36 for 
New York and 22 for the world's average, is sufficient to indicate the spot where 
health may be regained ;m«1 long life enjoyed. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS SUBURBS. 




HOTEL RYAN, CORNER ROBERT AND SIXTH STREETS. 

The above cut represents the great hotel now in process of erection in St. Paul. When com- 
pleted it will be one of the most costly and imposing structures of its class in America, and will far 
exceed in elegance, size and cost any hotel building north or west of Chicago. The elevation above 
presented consists of 225 feet frontage on Sixth street and ]50 ieet on Robert. It will be seven 
stories high and of modern Gothic style of architecture and ornamentation. The cost will exceed 
11,000,000. It is being built by Mr. Dennis Ryan, one of St. Paul's wealthiest citizens. In addition 
to the structure above represented, Mr. Ryan will build a vast edifice on the Seventh streets front 
of the same block, which will be connected with the hotel proper, and will become, in lact, a part 
of the grand structure. 



utupJzxzcr) (s/iflFeicfi 



xzcr) 



I)S, 



St. Paul and its suburbs will eventually become as delightful a residence local- 
ity as may be found in the country. It is difficult to picture in the imagination a 
more charming combination of river, hill, lake and forest than exists in fact at 
innumerable points of observation within a radius of ten or twelve miles from the 
business center of the city. The average visitor to St. Paul notices the majestic 
expanse of river and the terraced highlands that encircle the city, views Fort Snel- 
ling with the awe incident to historical association, looks with j)leased surprise 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS SUBURBS. 



upon tlie beauties of ]\Iinneliaha Falls, and votes the Capital City and its sur- 
roundings surpassingly beautiful. Yet the yisitor has seen absolutely nothing of 
those landscape attractions ^vhich are one day to make the suburbs of St. Paul 
more delightful than those of any other American city. 

The accompanying map "vvill illustrate the reason of the above assertion. By 
it the reader %vill observe that the country immediately north of St. Paul is faiily 
a net-^vork of lovely lakes. In every dimx^le of prairie, in every depression of 
woodland is set a crystal gem that in any other locality would be considered an 
invaluable addition to the surrounding landscape. The district outlined by the 
map is all within the suburbs proper of St. Paul, the northern limit being just ten 
miles from the corporate limits of the city. All of the lakes here indicated are of 
great beauty of outline and surroundings, of purest water, connected with each 
other by rapid running brooks, and finally finding outlet to the Mississippi river. 
Irregular contour of coast lines of every variety of siu-face — here a gentle, wooded, 
slope, there a bold cliff, or again a grassy vale — contribute to the exquisite beauty 
of these lakes. Not one in all the number but presents many perfect residence 
sites, locations that combine natural groves, gTavel or sand beach and almost any 
desired land surface. All of these waters teem with fish (black and silver bass 
especially), are clear and cold, and from forty to sixty feet deep in their deepest 
parts. No large city on the continent has such a delightful suburban district. 

THE LAKE DISTRICT. 

That visitors — and mam'^ thousands of St. PauFs citizens who have recently 
located here and have not yet familiarized themselves with the beautiful surround- 
ings — may gain some idea of Nature s free-hand distribution of favors hereabouts, 
a brief glance at the lakes that lie A\T.thin ten miles of the city limits may be had. 
One can scarcely get out of the built-up portion of the city, in any dii^ection save 
directly westward, until the gleam of lovely waters is seen near at hand. Driving 
northwesterly from the business center and before the cit}' limits are reached we 
arrive at LakeComo, one mile long and from one-fourth to half-a-mile wide. About 
this lake the city has established a beautiful park of two hundred and sixty a<?res. 
One and one-half miles west of Como are Eock and Horseshoe lakes, both small, 
but adding beauty to the landscape. One and one-half miles north of Como is 
Bennett's lake, a pleasant spot, and one-half mile east of this Owasso, a beautiful 
body of water one half mile wide and one and one-half long, the seat of several 
summer homes. Just beyond Owasso is Lake Josephine, a perfect gem, surrounded 
by a number of fine cottages. Half-a-mile northwest of Josephine is Lake Johanna, 
a nearly round lake about one-mile in diameter, and one of the best fishing resorts. 
On this lake will be erected the new Catholic college, to front on the continuation 
of Snelling avenue, on which (as sho^NTi in the map) are ahead}' located Hamline 
university (^.lethodist), and jNIacalester college (Presbyterian). One mile south- 
west of Johanna is Wilson's lake, then follow Poplar, Round, and I^ong lakes. We 
have then, in a drive of ten miles in a northwesterly direction, discovered eleven 
beautiful lakes. 

Starting again from St. Paul and driving directly north out Rice street, Mc 
Carron's and Sandy lakes are reached in three miles. Next comes Lake Savage, 
about which clusters •" St. John City," a French hamlet older than St. Paul. A 
litth; to the west is seen Owasso again, but directly north is Vadnais lake, a cou- 
siderabh' ])ody of wat^r of low temperature and purest quality, from which St. 
Paul is taking its water sup])ly. One-half mile northeast of Vadnais is LamberFs 
lake, one mile broad, then Sncker and Orass lakes. We now arrive at a cluster of 
exceedingly beautiful bodies of Avater called respectively Pleasant lake, Charles 
lake, Turtle lake, Marsden's lake and Lake (lilfillan. Not more than half-a-mile 
int«rvens between any two of these romantic lakes, and all of them are in full 
view from many of the high ])oints between them. On Pleasant lake the president 
«»rtheSt. Paul and Manitoba railway, J. J. Hill, has purchased three thousjind 
acres of ground for a summci' home and a fancy stock larm. The place is to be 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS SUBURBS. 



71 




Scale: sV^ miles to the inch . 



The above map represents the lake district about St. Paul Fort Snelling, Minnehaha Falls 
and the sites of Hamline University and Macalester College. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS 'SUBURBS. 



improved by tlie outlay of many thousands of dollars. Ou Turtle lake, three- 
fourths of a mile from Pleasant lake, Commodore Kittson has his summer place. 
The drive to this point is less than fourteen miles, but in that distance fourteen 
lakes have been passed. 

Starting for the third time from St. Paul and driving a little east of north. Lake 
Phalen is met with just outside the city limits ; the lake from which beautiful 
Phalen creek carries all the surplus waters of the lake district to outlet in the 
Mississippi. Then come Spoon, Gervais (very pretty), Kohlman's, Fitzhugh's, 
Rice and Goose lakes, all well stocked with fish and affording innumerable lovely 
sites for summer homes. Now we reach that splendid body of water which is the 
pride of St. Paul, 

WHITE BEAR LAK*E. 

Here, upon the most beautiful of all Northwestern lakes, are the summer cot- 
tages of many of the wealthiest residents of the cit;/. It is the seat of four hotels, 
which are all fashionable resorts, the popular camping ground of the State militia 
of jMinnesota and the annual meeting place of the Mahtomedi Assembly. The 
shores of AVhite Bear seem to have been treated by Nature in a masterly attempt 
at landscape gardening. In all the twenty or more miles of shore line there is 
scarcely a foot that is not perfect for residence grounds. The waters are clear, deep, 
very cold, and abound in endless variet}' of fish. White Bear is ten miles by rail- 
way (St. Paul & Duluth) from St. Paul, and numerous trains make it a convenient 
as well as delightful summer residence. White Bear is not only a favorite retreat 
for St. Paul people, but its hotels are thronged with visitors from the East and 
South during the season, and it is now recognized as one of the most fashionable 
of all the Northwestern summer resorts. 

Within one mile, to the northeast, of White Bear is Bald Eagle, a lake nearly as 
large and beautiful, also reached by rail, and rapidly becoming a popular resort. 
Birch, Otter, Wilkinson's, Amelia, Big Tree lake. Long lake, Lake DeMontieville 
and Lake Jane are pretty sheets of water m this same district, making sixteen in 
all passed in a trip of twelve miles on this route out of St. Paul. 

To the east of the city, within a short distance, are Beaver, Elmo, Frost's, 
Wakefield's and Silver lakes, all beautiful and being rapidly utilized for summer 
residence purposes. Tanner's, Fish and several smaller lakes lie to the southeast 
of the city. Crossing the Mississippi river and driving directly south, many lakes 
are found, chief of which in beauty is Thoreau, already occupied as a summer home. 

The map also indicates the location of Fort Snelling and Minnehaha falls, either 
of which may be reached in a few minutes by rail (many times a day) or by one of 
the most beautiful drives possible to imagine. Both places are also reached by 
pleasun? steamers, which ply during the season of navigation. 

LAKE MINXETONKA. 
Tlicrc is still another attractive place to be included in St. Paul's suburbs, 
and which is reached in less than an hour's ride by rail from this city. Keference 
is made to Lake Minnetonka, rapidly Ijecoming one of the most popular and widely 
known summcu- resorts in the entire North. Here is found a lake of surpassing 
beauty, with great steamers plying its waters and its shores affording hotel facili- 
ties that are not surpassed by those oC the favorite sea-beach resorts in the neigh- 
borhood of New York. In fact, the IIot(!l Lafayette, built by St. Paul capital, is 
one of the large:^t edifices of its class in tlu^ world. The accompanying view is a 
perfect rciiresentatioii of the gi-eat hotel and its surroundings. Trains run hourly 
during th(5 season from St. Paul to I^ake Minnetoiika. It is only within two years 
Ihat the lacilities at Minnetonka nu!t the reiiuirements of summer visitors, but 
now the resort has no superior in general convenicmces and attractions. It is now 
the best ])atronized resort in the Northwest, and its number of summer visitors 
will <;ontinue to increase yearly a»s its advantages are more widely kiiown and 

;i|i|neci;ile(l. 



74 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: COST OF LIVING. 

Who SO blind that they cannot see the advantage of such surroundings as rea 
above indicated to a great commercial center? No American city of importance 
has equal suburban attractions. Unlike the river and coast regions about New- 
York, there is no malaria in this exquisite lake district. It is simply a summer 
paradise of invigorating atmosphere, pure water and unsurpassed beauties of land- 
scape, combining pleasures of society, boating, bathing, hunting and fishing. 



fe©st ot Jji^iM IT) €)i. Iferul 



Upon this subject the information given has been gathered with greatest care, 
that persons of moderate means may be able to determine positively what their 
li^-ing expenses will be, upon the basis of average prices for all kinds of family 
requirements, if they conclude to move to St. Paul. 

Rents — Good, eight-room houses within ten minutes walk of the business 
portion of town average $30 per month if supplied with city water. Three vStory 
new and elegant brick residences of twelve rooms, all modern conveniences of 
water, bath, furnace, etc., are now (March 15) on the market at $58 per month. 
Fair six-room houses (new) within twelve minutes walk of the Union depot 
rent for |15 per month. Workingmen's cottages in West St. Paul or in the out- 
lying districts range from $8 to |12 per month. Rooms in the heart of the city are 
proportionately high, but may be had in desirable blockvS at from |10 to $25. Neat 
seven or eight-room dwellings in the best portion of the residence districts range 
from $25 to $45 per month. Houses are scarce, but thousands of new ones are 
built each season so that the supply is kept just about equal to the demand, and 
there is therefore no extortion in the matter of rents. 

Fuel — The best seasoned hard maple wood may be bought delivered at $6.00 
per cord. Oak and other hard woods are proportionately cheaper ; mixed oak and 
elm $3.75. The best nut coal is now, delivered, $10 per ton, but may be con- 
tracted in the fall for about $9.25. Soft coals, however, are cheap in this city, 
the supply coming from Iowa and Illinois. Prices range from $4 to $7.50, accord- 
ing to quality. Those who prefer wood to coal will note that the former fuel is 
cheaper here than in Eastern cities — nearly enough so to offset the difference in 
price of hard coal. 

Sel-vants — Serving girls are scarce and command high wages, which range 
from $1.50 to $4.50 per week. 

Meats — I*rices, retail, are taken from market reports for March 16, 1884 : 

Beef— Roasting pieces, 18c; porterhouse steak, 18@2()c; sirloin steak, 18c, round, 15c; chuck, 
12>^c; boiling pieces, 7@10c; dried beef, lM@'20c. Pork — Steak and roasting pieces, 123/^@15c; 
sausages, 10@123^c per lb.; ham, \nc; sliced do., 20c; bacon, 12i/;^@loc; heai cheese, 10(a-V2^c. 
Veal — I utlets, 20c ; roasting pieces, 15@18c. Mutton — Leg, I'Jc; stew, 5@6c; chops,12^@15c. 

Groceries and Flour — Sugar, 8] to 10 cents per pound ; coffee, 13o to 40 cents ; 
butter, 18 Ut 35 cents; milk, 6 cents per quart; flour, wheat, $3 to $3.75 per 
100 pounds ; rye, 5 cents per i)onnd. 

Vegetables — In the fall, when vegetables are usually stored for winter, potii- 
toes are u.sually from 25 to .35 cents per bushel" ; cabbages, 3 to 5 cents per head ; 
other vegetables at pro])ortionate i)ri(;es. 

From the above prices, at present ruling in this city, the reader Avill be able 
to judge very closely of the cost of living in St. Paul as compared with the local- 
ity in which he may at present reside. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS POSTOIFICE STATISTICS. 



75 




ALLEX, MOON * CO.'S BriLDIXG OX THIRD STREET, IX THE WH )LE.SALE DISTRICT. 



©sfojrice ^l^islics. 



The growth of postoffice business in St. Paul is an excellent criterion to go hj 
in forming an estimate of the general development of the oitY, inasmuch as all 
statistics given are from official .sources. The latest rej^ort of the postmaster gen- 
eral shows that the business transacted by the St. Paul postoffice is a good per cent 
larger than that of anr other city of the same size in the country ; a certain indi- 
cation of the comparative commercial importance of the city. The following 
official figures will give abundant information on this point: 

GEOWTH OF POSTOFFICP: BUSINESS — GEOSS YEAELY INCOME. 

1875 ■ §.58,922.63 1878 §=63,92-'.59 1881 S128,156.45 

1876.... 57,092.85 1879 81,299.9' 1882 173,131.31 

1877 53,412.82 1880 102.4-50.33 1883 190,907.36 



1875 

1876 

1877 



..<1,254,037.00 
. 1,236,409.81 
.. 1,433,969.79 



MONEY OEDEE BUSINESS. 

1878 §1,853,613.35 

1879 2,517,523.91 

1880 2,893,695.40 



1881 S3,679,525.17 

1882 4,018,241.33 

1883 4,071,303.90 



Recently the fast mail service from Xew York to Chicago and St. Paul has 
been successfully inaugurated: and the fact that the service was extended to this 
city is proof of the importance the business world attaches to this commercial center. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: A WORD TO W0EK12v'G:MBN. 



M. wopd fo w op^ir)(2frr)er). 



Any man, or woman, who lias willing hands, will find work to do in St. Paul 
at fair wages. A great city is now building, and artizans and laborers of every 
class and trade are in constant demand. It is not merel}" that so many brick 
blocks and so many houses are to be erected, but a vast amount of public work in 
grading streets, building waterworks, constructing sewers, making sidewalks, etc., 
etc. , is going on as rapidly as workmen can be secured to do the labor. Still fur- 
ther, every new firm that estal)lishes business must afford employment of some 
sort to common labor. In fact, there was a scarcity of mechanics and laborers last 
year, and there will be this. Good wages obtain here — better tliiui in Eastern 
and Southern cities. So far as weather interference with out-door work is con- 
cerned', the workingman can put in a greater number of days during the year in 
St. Paul than he can in St. Louis or Chicago. This assertion is based upon the 
fact that there are but few rainy days in this locality as compared with the num- 
ber in either Eastern or Southern places. So far as winter weather is concerned, 
the average is not nearly so disagreeable and severe as in localities farther south, 
where the atmosphere is not so dry as it is here. All classes of Avorkingmen now 
living in St. Paul are prosjDerous, and a very large percentage are owners of their 
homes. There will be a great demand for labor this season, and a sober, indus- 
rious man need not be without work a day after his arrival in St. Paul. 

There is a large and of course constantly increasing demand for servant girls,, 
and this class are paid high wages. 



J^uild.: 



T)Qi Qur^d jjQGfr) (s/iss©citi0r)S. 



There are twenty-six building and loan associations in St. Paul, representing 
a capital of about 110,000,000, having a membership of about five thousand 
persons — men, women and children — and disbursing monthly from $-40,000 to 
$50,000 in cash to members, to enable them to build houses, pay debts, or for any 
other purposes. These associations, in the year 1882, through their members, 
built three hundred houses, besides making loans for other purposes. For 1883 
the statistics have not been accurately computed, but it is safe to estimate four 
hundred houses as the number built — worth about $800,000. The Building 
societies do not buikl houses, but loan the money to any man who can give secu- 
rity to pay monthly for the loan in installments about equal to what the rent of 
the house built would })e; so that aiiy person having a lot can mortgage the lot to 
the association, together with the house he is to build, with a policy of insurance 
assigned, and receive the money as the building progresses. The sum advanced is 
generally about half or two-thirds the value of the lot and insured value of ihe 
house combined. It costs about $15 per month lor a loan of $1,000, principal and 
interest, and at the same rate for larger or smaller sums. Real estate owners are 
libera] in furnishing lum])cr and lots on monthly ])ayments and long time, so that 
there is very little difTiculty ex])erienced among mechanics, clerks and others of 
moderate means in securing homes of their own in St. Paul at a ^monthly rate not 



78 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: VALUE OF REALTY. 

exceeding rent, wliich homes will enhance in value, and probably be worth many 
times their cost long before they are paid for, if judiciously built and located. 
These building associations are making St. Paul in the West what Philadelphia 
has been in the East — "the City of Homes" — and are by no means the least of 
the attractions which make this city the popular resort it is for all who are seeking 
to better their condition in life. 



icpeecse i: 



Vcrlue 0] r^ealfv, 



Increase in value of realty, as determined by official assessment, presents the 
most accurate figures relative to the actual upbuilding of a city. The corporate 
limits of St. Paul to-day are precisely those of 1881, yet the official valuation of 
real property has increased 33 per cent. This remarkable increase is not due to 
any "boom" or fictitious advance in land values, for there are large portions of 
the city where the ground has appreciated but slightly since 1881, but is the result 
of improvements that have been made. The official figures, as given by the 
county auditor, are : 

OFFICIAL VALUATION OF EEAL PROPERTY IX- ST. PAUL, 

Year. ' . Valuation. 

1881 :3;21,596, 32(j 

1882 30,345,072 

1883 : 31,623,373 

In con.sidering statistics of assessed value, however, ii must be borne in mind 
that property is general]}^ listed at from one-third to one-half its actual market 
value. In St. Paul, the assessed value is more than one-third but less than one- 
half real value — probably about two-fifths. On this basis, the actual value of St. 
Paul's real property in 1883 was $79,058,430. But it is the per cent of increase, as 
indicated by the official figures, which illustrates and proves the city's wonderful 
growth since 1881. It will be remembered, by those who have read the preced- 
ing pages and the statistics given, that St. Paul's phenomenal groAvth has been 
since 1880 : or since the railways, banks and commercial interests discovered the 
advantages of St. Paul's location above any other Northwestern city, and began to 
concentrate here. Now, this general theory is ijroved conclusively by the assess- 
ment rolls of the city of St. Paul, which show that while the official valuation 
of real property in 1881 was $21,595,326, in 1874 it was $21,361,774. In other 
words, while the official valuation increased onlv $233,552 in the seven years from 
1874 to 1881, it increased $10,038,047 in the two years from 1881 to 1883. That 
is, the increase in the past two years was over jforfy-iico times greater than the 
increase in the seven years preceding the beginning of St. Paul's recent growth. 
This showing, be it remembered, is from official figures. It must also be remem- 
bered that this is not the record of a small town, that may show great percentage 
of growth by the expenditure of a very little money, or the erection of a few 
houses, but is what has been accomplished by a city that contained over 40,000 
inhabitants when its phenomenal development began. No city of like size — not 
excepting Chicago in its days of greatest prosperity — has ever ecjualed St. Paul's 
record of growth within the past three years. Inasmuch as the present year, 1884, 
seems certain to surpass any other twehemonth, and there is no reason to doubt 
indefinite growth, what is to be ex])ected of St. Paul's development during the next 
five or ten years? It is certainly not too much to expect that before the present 
decade is ended, St. Paul will outstrip Cincinnati in metropolitan importance, and 
be di.sputing with St. Louis and New Orleans the honor of supremacy among the 
cities olthe Mississippi valley. 




THK U-1I..M.--\TK DRY GOf.DS HOUSE OF LIN'DEKES, W.VRNKK .t SCHURM KIKR, CORNER FOrRTII 

AND SIBLEY STREETS. 



jfuLlic iJibparies, 



There are three public libraries in St. Paul that would do credit to much older 
•:ind lar-er towns. The free library of the city contains between nine thousand 
'and tenlhousand volumes, and is supported by public tax It is a new educationa^ 
venture on the part of the city, and is therefore in its infancy : but it ^^^^^^^^ 
in number of volumes so rapidly that it must soon take rank among the large 
institutions of its class. It is furnished with every modern convenience lor the 
ease and intellectual delight of those who make use of its spacious reading rooms. 
The State librarv consists of ten thousand volumes, and is open to visitors dailj 
from nine o'clock a. M. to^six p. 3i. The library is located in the State capitol. Its 
catalogue is chieflv of law books and State documents. 
■ The State historical librarv is located in the capitol building, and is open dailj 
to visitors. It contains nearly twenty-two thousand volumes and pamphlets, 
together with a museum and cabinet of historical relics, pictures, portraits, curi- 
osities, etc. 



80 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS LUMBER TRADE. 



JjuiT)iDCP rFCcd 



C. 



The wholesale lumber trade of St. Paul is increasing with almost wonderful 
rapidity. The total sales in 1881 aggregated §1,348,000, while in 1883 the amount 
reached $3,600,000, or an increase of over 160 per cent within two years. This 
remarkable increase is largely due to recently acquired railway facilities — which 
will be quadrupled within two years — for reaching the Wisconsin x)ineries. North- 
ern Iowa. Nebraska and Kansas are gradually forsaking the Chicago lumber mar- 
ket for that of St. Paul. Chicago, for many years, has been the greatest lumber 
mart in the world, handling upwards of 2,000,000,000 feet annualh'. During the 
past year, however, the Chicago sales have fallen off materially, while the St. Paul 
trade has increased as above indicated. In the chapter devoted to the country 
tributary to St. Paul, the reader will find detailed the facts relative to this city's 
position %vith reference to the lumber trade of Wisconsin. It will be noted that 
the St. Paul railway sj'stem is XDeuetrating the pineries in such manner that every 
district in Northern Wisconsin will speedily acknowledge this city as its nearest 
and best market. It all means that St. Paul is soon to supersede Chicago as the 
market for Wisconsin lumber : and that, in turn, means that this city is to become 
the chief distributing point for the vast products of the sister State. At this time 
St. Paul lumbermen are beginning to ship as far southwest as Kansas City. Lead- 
ing firms here state that far more capital than they now control could be used to 
great advantage in the St. Paul lumber trade. There are twenty-three firms in the 
lumber business in this city, and opportunities for as man}'" more as will be 
required to handle the bulk of the Wisconsin cut within two or three years from 
the present time. The fact that nearly four thousand houses Avere built in St. Paul 
last year indicates what the local trade is. 

With reference to the future magnitude of St. Paul's lumber trade, it must be 
considered that there are yet (by recent estimates) thirty-five or forty billion feet 
of standing pine in Northern Wisconsin, and that even at the present rate of cut- 
ting, the supply cannot be exhausted in verj' many years, as the constant growth 
is equal to a fair proportion of the amount logged. The present lumber prodirct 
of Wisconsin is over 2,000,000,000 feet annually, and with the railway focilities that 
will be perfected this year, the entire region of product will be accessible from St. 
Paul. In addition to the Wisconsin lumber supi)h' is that of ^Minnesota, which is 
just beginning to be developed, and which, in time, with the aid of railways noAv 
projected, will be tril)utarv to this city. 



Jr/ews papers oT ll-)c ^i^y^ 



The general cliaracter, appearance and professional rank of the newspapers of 
a cit}' constitute a sure guide in estimating its people, their intelligence and their 
prosperity. Chicago was no less ])lK'n()monal in its newsj)a})er development than 
in its cominercial growth. The Eastern })re.ss was taught more lessons in enter- 
pri.se by the Chicago journals than weie the Eastern merchants by the energeti( 
young business men of the Western metrfqiolis. Ju.st now we find the general 
develu]tment of Cliicago ten or fifteen years ago duplicated in St. Paul. It is e\ i- 
deixed in its ne\vsi)a])ers as in other lines. Go where you will iu the United 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS NEWSPAPEES. 



81 




THE PIOXEER PRESS BUILDING. 



The above cut represents a portion of the Third St. front of the Pioneer Press Go's building. The 
entire structure is 118 ft. front on Third St., 170 ft. on Minnesota, and 145 on Second, with irregular 
height of 4 and 5 stories. The concern is one of the most comiilete printing houses in the country. 



States to-day. and in journalistic circles St. Paul will be ranked among the first 
newspaper towns of the country. This result is not to be attributed wholly to 
either the progress of the town or the character of the newspapers, for each has 
assisted in the upbuilding of the other ; each are examples of Northwestern energy. 
and the talent — business or literary — that is generated by action is the result of 
such energy. St. Paul is acknowledged to have no equal in the Northwest in the 
line of newspax)er enterprise, and has no superior in the country. Indeed, Chicago 
is the only city on the continent outside of St. Paul, that has what may be termed 
a perfect daily newspaper — the term including news and editorial facilities. 
make-up, mechanical resources, etc. There are four daily newspapers published in 
St. Paul, three English and one German ; and all are prosperous and progressive. 
The Pioneer Press is issued every day in the year. It is seven columns quarto, with 
two, four, or eight-page supplements nearly every other day. It is circulated — 
not merely carried — over ten thousand miles of railroad daily. It is independent 
Republican in politics. The Globe is an eight-column quarto, with a flexible 
make-up which enables enlargement whenever necessary, and is the leading Dem- 
ocratic newspaper in the Northwest. The evening paper is the St. Paul Dispatch. 
a seven-column folio, which issues several editions during the afternoon. Eecent 
enlargement indicates prosperity. It is rejDublican in politics, and is the leading- 
evening paper in the Northwest. The German daily is Die VoUcszeitung. issued 
every week-day evening, and is the leading representative among the German press 
of the Northwest. 

In addition to the daily press, there are fifteen weeklies and class publica- 
tions, including German. French. Norwegian and Swedish newspapers. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS OUTLOOK FOR 1884. 



So far as news gathering and printing facilities are concerned, the St. Paul 
dailies are unsurpassed. They have their own special wires to Chicago and Wash- 
ington, and use the latest improved Webb perfecting presses in printing editions 
which circulate throughout the entire Northwest. 



^l)e ©ufl©©^ fd)^ ISS^. 



The figures presented and statements made in foregoing pages refer in gi-eater 
part to the business of 1883 and immediately preceding years ; foreshadowing or 
indicating, merely, results likely to obtain in 1884 and the immediate future. The 
season is now far enough advanced, the latter part of March, to warrant definite 
conclusions with reference to the general growth and development of the city during 
the current year. At this time there is greater activity in building than has ever 
before been noted in St. Paul during a corresponding season. Go where one may, 
either in the business section or residence localities, and hardly a block of ground 
A^dll be found — unless already compactly built — that does not present an active 
building scene. Scores of grand business structures are progressing in all stages of 
construction, from foundation w^lls to interior finishing work. In the residence 
districts over one thousand dwellings, including all classes, are now in process of 
erection ; while every day adds many to the number. Architects who estimated 
three months ago that 1884 would surpass 1883 in general upbuilding, now unhesi- 
tatingly say that the record of last year will be surpassed at least thirty per cent. 
This means that St. Paul will witness this year the erection of at least five thou- 
sand new buildings; and if this proves to be a nearly correct estimate, it is quite 
certain that New York and Chicago alone of all the cities of America will surpass 
St. Paul's building growth for the present year. It will even prove interesting and 
instructive for old residents of St. Paul to make frequent drives about town — 
especially in the outlying districts — and note the marvelous develoj)ment now 
going on. Everywhere outside of the long-built-up portion of the city, houses, 
stores, shops and factories are springing up as if by magic. 

INFLUX OF POPULATION. 

Two months ago, owing to the large number of houses built last year, it was 
generally believed that the influx of people this spring could not possibly be so 
great as to make dwellings actually scarce; yet at this writing it is estimated that 
if there were now one thousand houses placed for rent, all would be taken within a 
fortnight. This does not mean that it is impossible to secure living accommoda- 
tions at reasonable rates, for it has become the rule to rent parts of houses for tempo- 
rary purposes until houses approaching completion can be made ready for occupancy. 
That is, so many new structures are constantly building that the inconvenience of 
living in (tlose (juarters is merely temporary. But the fact that dwellings at this 
time ar(i actually scarce, despite the number built last year, is evidence of the 
multitiuh; of newcomers now seeking residence in this x)rosperous city. Not only 
is present immigration to St. Paul and the Northwest very large, but all indications 
go to show that a great tidal wave of humanity is to surge in this direction all 
through the year. 

INCOMING CAPITAL. 

The s«';uson thus liir assures for the year a large increase of capital in every line 
of l)usincss and iuvcstincnt. Men or*mo!icy from all parts of the Union an; begin-. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS OTJTLOOK FOE 1884. 



83 




THE COUKT BLOCK, FOURTH STREET. 

The above block, erected by Comodore W. F. Davidson, is now being completed. It is six 
stories high, 75 feet front by 65 deep with a pressed brick front, cost about $75,000 and is designed 
for an oflBce building with stores below. 



iiing to arrive for the purpose of investigating the opportunities presented for pro- 
fitable use of capital ; and, as a rule, but little time is required to discover satis- 
factory chances. In regard to amount of new capital invested, it is altogether 
likely that 1884 will surpass any other year in St. Paul's history. 



INVESTMENTS IN EEALTY, 



Judging from present indications— based largely upon letters of inquiry received 
from the East and South by real estate agents— a great many capitalists have con- 
cluded to make permanent investments in St. Paul. The present growth of the 
city, with its certain future, is noted, and then it is easy to comprehend that in view 
of these auditions prices of all kinds of property are very low. Capitalists are 



g4 THE CITY OF tST. PAUL: ITS AVEALTHY MEN. 

beginning to appreciate the absolute certainty of St. Paul's becoming one of the 
greatest trade centers of the continent, and are therefore preparing to invest in realty 
while values are yet much below those ruling in any other town of like population, 
to say nothing of future prospects. 



f l^e Wccl% IJlcr, of i^c Qiij 



It is a trueism that ' ' what has been done, vnay be done again. ' ' Apply the 
hypothesis to the financial attainments of a majority of the leading business men 
of St. Paul, and there is an irresistable attraction in the corollarj^ to any energetic 
young man ; for the wealth of the larger number of the city's millionaries has been 
wi'ought out of opportunities presented here. St. Paul has ever been a field where 
application of energy and brains has resulted in abundant success and x>rosxDerity. 
With very few exceptions the citizens of great wealth have made all their money in 
St. Paul. From inconsequential beginnings have resulted — and in comparatively 
few years — great and powerful railway corporations, mighty banking institutions, 
almost unsurpassed commercial houses, large manufactures, retail establishments 
that vie with the best of much larger cities, and newspaper product that is famous 
the countr}^ over. In every line of business great fortunes have been carved out of 
mere development of surroundings. What has been done may not only be done 
again, but inasmuch as St. Paul's growth is now more rapid than ever, before, 
there is at this time better opportunities than have been presented in the past. 



>gcpg1 ^©cicfi 



©ciciies. 



Secret societies are well represented in St. Paul. Here is the Grand Lodge of 
the Masons of Minnesota, with fifteen subordinate lodges, etc. , and the Masonic 
Helief Association of the State. The respective Masonic societies are : Grand 
Lodge of the State; Gfrand Chapter; Kowil Arch Chapter; Grand Commandery; 
Damascus Commandery; Grand CouiK'il of Koyal and Select Masters; Carmel 
r.odge of Perfection; A. and A. S. Rite; De Molai Council, Knights Kadosh, A. 
and A. S. Rite ; Minnesota Consistory ; St. Paul Chapter, Knights Rose Croix ; St. 
Paul Council ; St. I*aul Lodge ; Ancient Landmark Lodge ; I^ioneer Lodge ; and 
Coloied F. and A. M. 

Of Odd Fellows there are six lodges and the Grand Lodge of the State ; the 
Grand Encam])ment oi' Minnesota ; Minnesota Encampment No. 1 ; St. Paul 
Encampment No. 15 ; St. I'aul Temple No. 2, Patriarchal Circle ; and Odd Fel- 
lows' Mutual l>cnefit Society. 

Knights of I'ythias are re])resent('d by a Grand Lodge of the State, Champion 
J^odge, and Section 159 Kntlowmcnt Rank. 

Other societies and orders are : Ancient Older of ILibernians, three divisions ; 
Ancient Order United Workmen, Grand Lodge and eight subordinate lodges ; Sons 
of Hermann, Grand Lodge and tliree suliordinate lodges ; Independent Order B'nai 
IVrith ; two lodges of Kniglits of Honor; two lodges Knights of Labor ; Grand 
Grove of United Ancient Order of Druids, and six subordinate groves. 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: ITS AMUSEMENTS. 



85 




The abo\e ^kttch i- ot a ^tcnon of the aiulitoiium, dress circle and balconj , \Mth the stage 
opening, in the new Grand Opera House, completed and opened last year by Commodore Wm. F. 
Davidson; L. X. Scott, Manager. Its entrance is through a wide and convenient hall, running level 
from the sidewalk to the fo\-er. Its seating capacity is 2,200, and the ventilation, light (electricity 
being used), convenience of egress, safety and general appointments are equal to that of any theater 
in Chicago, and superior to any norfhwest of that city. It is pronounced by professionals equal to 
many of the finest opera houses of Eastern cities, and is specially commended for its excellent 
acoustic proi^erties. The Fourth street front, known as "Court Block," is six stories high, faced 
with pressed brick, and being furnished for an office building. The Wabasha street front (old 
Opera House") will be remodeled, and when completed will present an elegant front six stories high. 
The entire improvement connected with the (jrand Opera House occupies 85 feet front on Wabasha 
street by 22-5 feet deep, and 105 feet front on Fourth by 65 feet deep, both fronts being six stories 
high, the entire plant, including ground, old Opera House, new Grand Opera House, the Economy 
Sham Heat Co., and Court Block, is valued at half a million dollars, and brings an annual income 
of from fiftv to sixtv thousand dollars,. 



©/irr)uscrr)cr)is . 



The new Grand Opera House, built in 1883 by Commodore W. F. Davidson, is 
one of the most beantifnl and commodious theaters in the country. It is the 
largest building of its class in the Xorthwes t. and rivals in interior art T^-ork and 
elegance of furnishing the leading theaters of Chicago. Visitors are invariably sur- 
prised to find here a place of amusement so far above the average of those of American 
cities, while the operatic and theatrical professions are invariably loud in their 
praise of the accoustic, stage and general properties of the St. Paul Grand. The 
leading stage talent of the country consider this city one of the best and most 
appreciative points in the entire cii'cle of operatic or dramatic starring tours. 



S6 



THE CITY OF ST. TAUL: OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVESTMENT. 




AVINPSOR IIOXKL, CORNER ST. PKTKR .\XD FIFTH STREET^ 



(s)ppOpfur)iiiGs or ir)wslir)(2f oapifetl. 



11" St. l?aul is uow the most rapidly growing city on the continent and bids fill rt<» 
beconieone of the chief commercial, railway and financial centers of America, it fol- 
lows as a self-evident proposition that it presents the best and most varied field for the 
investment of capital. Tlie almost innumerable lines or opportnnities that may 
be followed or utilized liave been fairly indicated in preceding pages ; but there 
are salient points which may be reiterated to the advantage of those who seek 
monetary investment : 

Two of St. I'aul's greatest needs at this time are store or office accommoda- 
tions for business, and dwellings for incoming population. Capitalists may count 
with certainty tliat on an outlay of §>ir),(K)0 to ,S20,0()0 for business sites and 
s.lOjOOO to 8100,000 ill superstructure erected thereon they will receive in rentals 
fiom 810,000 to $25,000. There is not only immediate, but constantly increasing 
need of ))nsiness Ijlocks. Sites may now be secured at from $150 to $450 per front 
foot that will undoubtedly b(> worth twice or thrice these prices within from two 
to live years. 

In the ])resent month, March, 1HS4, there is so great a demand for dwellings 
that if there were now one thousand new houses for rent they would all be taken 
within two weeks. Lots costing I'rom $000 to $1,500, with dwellings averaging 
iVoni SI. ()()() to $:>.5(K) cost, can be vcuU'd quickly for $1H to $:55 per month. The 
icsi(lei)«<' yjtc^ lire jn^l ms (-(TtMin to increase in \alne as the city is to continue to 
grow. 



THE CITY OF 8T. PAUL: PRE6IDE>T SANBOEN'S ADDRESS. 



Every line of Avholesale trade or manufactures offers better inducements here 
than at any other place, a>^ the shrewd business man may quickly and easily deter- 
mine for himself by examination of the general field. 

In real estate investments there is an opportunity probably never before 
equaled for reasonably certain profits. Pricts for all kinds of realty are very low 
as compared with other cities of not near St. Paul's present commercial rank and 
population, to say n^hing of future prospects. Five hundred dollars per front 
foot is as yet about the limit of choice business frontage, while at various points 
in the business section prices range from 8125 to 8250 per front foot. Eesidence 
lots and suburban property may be considered safe and paying investments. 

The time to make money in St. Paul is non; when the average man has hardly 
awakened to a realizing sense of what the future greatness of St. Paul and the 
Northwest is to be. 



pesi(aer)f J099 J^- C>ar)borr) s Mddvcss. 



ADDRESS OF JOHX B. SANBOEX ESQ., PRESIDENT OF THE SAIXT PAIL ( HAMBEK 
OF COMMERCE, DELIVERED BEFORE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE 
REGULAR MEETING, MARCH 24, 1884. 

Cientlemen of the Board of Directors: — The year 1883 has been one of unpre- 
cedented activity, and Ave hope of unprecedented usefulness, of this organization. 

The modification of our by-laws in such manner as would authorize j^ou to 
raise means to purchase a suitable building site and construct a Chamber of Com- 
merce building : reorganization under these amended bj^-laAvs ; securing perpetual 
memberships and providing means to purchase a building site ; consideration and 
adoption of plans for the new building : forming and giving expression to a proper 
public sentiment in regard to local and public improvements, and the best time and 
manner of their construction ; careful examination of the general plans and policy 
of the federal government in making imi^rovements to cheapen transportation of 
commodities between the various seaports and the interior of out continent, by 
extending and improving: the navigable water ways of the country ; giving what- 
ever of aid was possible to assist the proper officers to reduce the expenses of the 
city government to the lowest point consistent Avith due protection to person and 
property, with a aIcav to diminish the rate of taxation ; giAing suitable tone and 
emphasis to the great event of the decade in the Northwest. — the completion and 
opening to traftic of the Northern Pacific railroad from this city to the navigable 
waters of the Pacific ocean : and giving due publicity to such expression in con- 
nection Avith a history of our past growth and present condition : raising and for- 
Avarding money and other substantial aid to the many sufferers by extraordinary 
storms — constitute some of the matters AA^hich, in addition to the minor details of 
business attended to at all your regular sessions, have received your attention the 
past year. 

It will demonstrate your public spirit, as Avell as that of our people generally, 
to refer to the fact that, in our membership of the board of directors of forty-two. 
of which a majority of all is necessary to transact business, and under by-laws 
reciuiring a meeting^ eAery ^Monday morning at nine o'clock, a quorum has 
responded at the roll call of that hour on every Monday morning of the year. 
Such men deserA^e success, and fortunate is the city that includes them among her 
citizens. 



88 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: PRESIDENT SANBORN'S ADDRESS. 



The financial operations of the Chamber were much hirger in 18S3 than for any 
previous 3'ear, but were attended Avith no friction or trouble. The receipts from 
all sources, not including money raised for charitable purposes, were as follows : 

RECEIPTS. 

Fines f 62.00 

Rents 1,538.24 

Annual memberships 1,055.00 

Perpetual memberships • ,800.00 

First call of 50 per cent of bonds of perpetual members 19,000.00 

Old paper sold : 4.13 

Aggregate receipts $ 31,459. 37 

DISBCRSEMEXTS. 

The disbursements for the same period have been as follows, viz. : 

Indebtedness paid $ 2,409.66 

Rent , 1,000.00 

Expenses other than salary 1,553.79 

Salary of secretary 958.33 

Forreal estate (building site) 25,000.00 

Building account , , 127.50 

Leaving cash on hand (in bank) 410.09 

Total S 31.459.37 

CURRENT YEAR EXPENSES. 

The estimated amount required to meet all the demands upon the Chamber 
the current year are as follows : 

Expenses of Chamber, including the salary of the secretary S 3,000.00 

Rent for present premises .". 1,200.00 

For construction of ncn" building i 100,000. on 

Total : : ; ?104,200.'" 

CURRENT YEAR RESOURCES. 

The estimated resources for 1884 are as follows : 

Annual memberships $ 2,000.00 

Perpetual membership assessments 1,000.00 

Rents 1,500.00 

Bonds agreed to be taken by present perpetual members 34,000.00 

First mortgage on building and site 50,000.00 

Amount ol deficit to be raised from additinal perpetual members, or from additional 

bonds taken by the present perpetual members 15,700.00 

Total §104,200. 00 

It is estimated by our building committee that the rents of the new building will 
pay interest on the entire cost of the property, all repairs thereon, and expenses of 
the same — the ordinary expenses of the Chamber — and leave at least §3,000 a year, 
to ])e used as a sinking fund, to extinguish the debt incurred to perpetual member^ 
and others i'ov money to purchase the site and build the building. 

The necessities of the Chamber for the year 1884 will be large, as shown above 
and will no doubt be met with that ]mblic spirit and liberality which is so charac- 
teristic of our people, and which has done so much to make this city the metropt>- 
lis of the Northwest. 

STATISTICS OF GROWTH. 

The report of your secretary and committee on statistics and publication, whicli 
is herewith transmitted, is complete in the details of our growth in population, in 
wealth, in buildings and other imi)rovements, and replete with information con- 
cerning the ])ast growth and future i)rosi)ects of the city\ and is commended for 
the careful examination of all having any interest in our past history, present con- 
dition, or future devcloinuent. This reyrort shows conclusively that the year ]>^-:! 
was. to S:iint Paul, oue of wondciCuI iju])i()\ cinrnt and pro.sperity. There was a great. 



i 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: PEESIDENT SAXBORX'S ADDRESS. 



89 




90 THE « ITY OF ST. PAUL: PRESIDENT SANBORN'S ADDRESS. 



increase in all branches of business. The wholesale trade reached $72,048,771, 
while this branch in 1882 reached but $66,628,494. The price of goods was much 
less in the latter than the former year, so that the increase gi-eatlv exceeds what is 
shown simply by the value of goods sold. The increase m the value of coal and 
iron sold is |1, 469, 666, and in several other commodities is little less striking. The 
number of wholesale houses increased from two hundred and seventy-six in 1882. 
to three hundred and twenty-five in 1883, and the number of persons employed in 
this business increased from four thousand six hundred and eighty-five in 1882, 
to five thousand eight hundred and fifteen in 1883. 

The incre.ise shown in manufacturing industries, by these statistics, is no less 
striking than that of the wholesale trade. The number of manufacturing establish- 
ments increased from six hundred and ninety-four in 1882, to seven hundred and 
fifty-eight in 1883, and the number of persons employed in this industry increased 
from twelve thousand two hundred and sixty-seven in 1882, to thirteen thousand 
nine hundred and seventy -nine in 1883, and the value of the products of manufact- 
ure increased fi'om §22,390,589 to 125,885,471 in the same time. 

The amount of capital shown to have been invested in buildings during this 
3'ear is §11,935,950, which was exceeded by only three cities of the United States. 
viz. : Xew York, Chicago and Cincinnati. This capital was so divided as to give us 
about two miles of additional fronts of business houses, and eight miles of addi- 
tional fronts of residences. The death rate for the year was only 11.65 to each 
1,000 of population, which is less than the general average of the State, and less 
than that of any other city containing so large a population in the world. 

Capital has been augmented to meet the increasing demands of our growing com- 
merce and manufactures until the banking capital and business of the city exceeds 
that of all other cities and towns in the State of IMinnesota combined, reaching the 
sum of §5, 550, 000 of capital stock, with deposits exceeding |11,000,000, and annual 
sale of exchange reaching the enormous aggregate of over §100,000,000. 

The ofiicers of our city have generally shown zeal, ability and integrity in the 
discharge of their respective duties, and, although there is room for improvement, 
as there always must be while the infirmaties of human nature remain, still we 
may congratulate ourselves that no cit}^ anywhere has a aovernment better admin- 
istered than Saint Paul. The public debt has not yet reached more than five per cent 
of the fair valuation of the property of the city subject to assessment and taxation, 
although we have passed the point where extraordinary expenditures are required 
in aid of railroads coming to the city ; or to establish and put in operation a sewerage 
system ; or to purchase and extend the operation of a proper system to provide water 
for all portions of the city ; or to purchase school building sites and buildings 
thereon ; or to erect many costly iron bridges over ravines, rivers and streams. All 
these extraordinary expenses have been incurred and paid. 

MATTERS OF PUJ3LIC POLICY. 

The matters which most demand, and which are now receiving the attention 
of the proper officers of the city, are the extension of the sewerage and water sys- 
tems to the fourth, fifth, and sixth wards, and replacing the old plank sidewalks 
with stone on all our business streets. Both public and private interests demand 
that a city of one hundred thousand people, transacting a business of more than 
$100,000,000 annually, should not tolerate or be disgraced with such sidewalks on 
itsS business streets longer. 

The commercial and l)usin(^ss character of our people causes them to take a deep 
interest in all that ])(Ttains to the ])ublic welfare, as thereby they become con- 
nected with th(i general Ijusiness of the county, and knowing that one part of the 
same })ody cannot be sound Avhile another remains unsound. To those in whose 
memories there still linger a recollection of the uncertainties, dangers, and losses 
attending all ])usiness transactions before the war, resulting from an unsound and 
inflat<!(i currency issued by Statt^ banks chartered and doing business under as 
many diflferent systems as there were different States, any suggestion of a radical 



92 THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: PRESIDENT SANBORN'S ADDRESS. 

change or thought of the abandonment of the present financial policy and bank- 
ing system of the federal government is nothing less than a menace and threat of 
destruction to the business interests and prosperity of the country. The financial 
and banking system of the nation, engendered by the dire financial necessities of war, 
has proved an unspeakable blessing to all the business men and interests of this 
country, and should be preserved for all time and looked upon by all classes as 
one of the chief blessings transmitted to us from that period of gloom and destruc- 
tion. That there is still room for improvement there can be no doubt, in some 
details, but when we consider the imperfections of human judgment we must con- 
clude that change is more likely to be for the worse instead of the better. 

A MEMORABLE YEAR. 

The year just past will always remain one of the most memorable in the 
annals of the city. It has witnessed the comiDletion of the new capitol building 
and new opera house, and the commencement of the new $1,000,000 hotel, new 
court house, and new Chamber of Commerce building. To all this the mind 
instinctivel}^ connects the completion of the Northern Pacific railroad, which, 
together, make it a year never to be forgotten. From it the city dates a new era! 
The vast new and fertile regions thereby opened to settlement and business, all 
tributary to the navigable waters of the Mississippi and to the commerce of our 
city, removes all limit to our growth and development. The facilities for doing busi- 
ness here are not surpassed any where. Eight trains leave daily for Chicago and the 
East ; four for Manitoba and the Northwest, independent of the Northern Pacific : 
two for Portland, Ore. , and all intermediate points ; four for the na^•igable waters of 
Lake Superior, two for St. Louis, and not less than six for the West, Southwest and 
South, each carrying through cars to the commercial and political capitals of all 
adjacent States and Territories, while the whole number of passenger trains that 
run in and out of the city daily is one hundred and sixty-four. The Wisconsin 
Central, Minnesota & Northwestern, St. Paul Eastern, Grand Trunk, Winona, Alma 
and Northern, Chicago, Burlington & Quincj'', and Chicago & Rock Island, are all 
taking steps to extend their lines to this metropolis at an early day. 

The Northern Pacific Railroad Company, the St. Paul, Minneapolis & INIanitoba 
Railroad Company, the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad Com- 
any, each operating long lines of completed road, have erected elegant buildings for 
their main offices in this city, and from the mall the operations of these lines of road 
are carried on. 

THE FUTURE OF THE CITY^ 

It therefore seems proper that I should give expression to a sentiment that 
must be common to us all, that at no period has the future of this city been so bright 
with promise as now. It seems miraculous, even to those who have stood bj^ an^ 
watched and participated in all the past events of its development, that, notwith- 
standing the great financial crash of 1857, that in a single month swept away all 
the wealth and much of the growth of the first eight years of its existence — and 
the exhausting and destructive iiifluences of the great rebellion and Indian wars 
that came upon our people before they had commenced to rally from the disasters 
of 1857, and which for five long years continued to absorb all the energies of our 
peo])le, still in the sliort space of thirty-five j^'ears there has grown up here the city 
of to-day. Thirty-five years ago no city, no railroad, no street, no higliAvay, no 
church, no school-house, no home — nothing but earth, air and water, common to 
all and enjoyed only by savage and uncultivated life — to-day, the one hundred 
thousand ])coplc, the §100,000,000 of business, "church edifices of magnificent struct- 
ure and proportions; the elegant school-houses, the mansion and residence, the 
comforts and relinements of the highest type of civilized life. 

With the growth of the last thirty-live years Ijefore us, under circumstances so 
adverse, what may we not expect in the next period of equal duration? All the 
country a))out us, east, west, north and south has, by our railroad system, been 



THE CITY OF ST. PAUL: PEESIDENT SANBORXS ADDKESS. 



93 




YOUNG, STREtSSGUTH & DRAKE 




SECTION OF GILFILLAN BLOCK, IN AVHOLESALE DISTRICT, ON FOURTH STREET 
BETWEEN JAdKSON AND SIBLEY STREETS. 

connected with and made tributary to us. This country which to-day is occupied 
by the pioneer settlers who first entered it, must soon all be filled up and culti- 
vated by an intelligent and industrious population. The wealth and products of 
remote States and Territories and the commerce of distant continents will long ere 
this period shall have passed be poui-ed into our lap. 

We see more growth and increase in the city in a single year now than in a 
whole decade of its early history ; we see a country now tributary to its commerce 
and business capable of supporting twenty times'' its present population, and we 
see our business men and interests keeping pace with and growing up with all this 
surrounding country. All things now conspire to maintain and enlarge the present 
commercial and manufacturing supremacy of the city and add to its business and 
wealth till it shall have few superiors or equals on this continent. 



C>f. Jfaul \Lb)(ZLrr)bcv of fe^orT)rr) 



CPCG 



OFFICERS OF THE ST. PAUL CHAMBER OF C'OMMEECE FOE 1883-4 



F resident 
Vice-President 
Secretary 
Treasurer . 



Gen. John B. Sanborn. 
Frederick DriscoU. . 
C. A. McNeale. 
Peter BerkeA'. 



BOARD OF directors: 

J. T. ATerill, S. S. Glidden, W. P. Munav. 

T. J. Baruev, C. Gotziau, D. E. Noyes, " 

P. Berkey, H. Greve, V. D. O'Brien, 

J. W. Bishop, J. P. Gribbeu, A. Oppenheim, 

E. Blakeley, E. J. Hodgsou, J. C. Quinby, 
H. A. Castle, D. W.Ingersoll, Edmund Eice, 
T. Cochran, Jr., W.Lee. L. W. Eundlett, 
J. H. Davidson, W. Liudeke, John B. Sanborn. 
W. F. Davidson, ' J. D. Ludden, W. A. Somers, 
T>. Day, J. J. McCardv, L. K. Stone, 
E.F.Drake, J. W. McClung, C. D. .Strong, 

F. Driscoll, T. S. Mc^[anus, C. B. Thurston, 
F. A. Fogg, John Matheis, W. A. Van Slvke, 
J. M. Gilman, D. H. Moon, F. AVillius. 

STANDING committees, 1883-4. 

Exeouiive Committee — F. Driscoll, C. D. O'Brien, Edmund Eice, Peter Berkey, Herman Greve, 
W. F. Davidson, Daniel E. Noyes, William Lindeke, John T. Averill, Thomas Cochran, Jr., J. W. 
Bishop, F. Willius, F. A. Fogg, H. A. Castle, J. W. McClung. 

Statistics and Correspondence— Bnv id Day, Thomas Cochran, Jr., H. A. Castle. 

i^'raance— Peter Berkey, F. Willius, A. Oppenheim. 

Mercantile Committee— D. R. Noyes, D. W. Ingersoll, J. D. Ludden, D. H. Moon, C. B. Thurston. 

Manufactures — T. J. Barney, J. P. Gribben, J. C. Quinby. 

Transportation— J . W. Bishop, J. H. Davidson, S. S. Glidden. 

Mississippi River — W. F. Davidson, R. Blakeley, Edmund Eice, Ansel Oppenheim, W. A. Van 
Slyke, W. P. Murray, C.Gotzian, J. M. Gilman, C. D. Strong, T. J. Barney. 

Streets, Roadsand Parks— J. W. McClung, W. A. Van Slyke, L. W. Rundlott, W. A. Somers, E. J. 
Hodgson. 

Health and Sanitation— E. J. Hodgson, F. Willius, T. S. McManus. 
Buildings and Fire Department-E. F. Drake, C. Gotzian, William Lee^. 
Taxes, County and City O/^cia/*— William Lee, Frederick Driscoll, Peter Berkey. 
General Improvement— C. D. Strong, John Matheis, T. S. McManus. 
Legislatire Committee — W. P. Murray, John M. Gilman, J. If. Davidson. 
Audttinff Committee — J.J. McCardy, Ansel Oppenheim. 

Nominatioius—l). W. Ingersoll, W. A. Van Slyke, Thomas Cochran, .Jr., D. H. Moon, William 
Lindeke. 

Market Ifovse—l). R. Noves, P. Berkcv, H. .\. Castle. 



THE CITY OF ST. PALL: ITS CHAMBEK OF COMMEKCE. 



95 



PERPETL'AL MEMBERS OF THE ST. PAUL CHAMBER OF COMMEEOE. 



J. Q. Adams, 
M. Auerbach, 
J. T. Averill, 

A. K. Barnum, 

B. Beaupre, 
J. A. Berkey, 
Peter Berkey, 
J. W. Bishop, 
R. Blakeley, 

E. A. Brown, 
H. A. Castle, 
Greenleaf Clark, 
F.B.Clarke, 
Thos. Cochran, Jr., 
H. S. Crippen, 

J. H. Davidson, 
W. F. Davidson, 
W. Dawson, 
A. De Gratf, 

C. E. Dickerman, 
W. T. Donaldson, 
R. R. Dorr, 

F. DriscoU, 

E. S. Edgertou, 
H. S. Fairchild, 
Geo. E. Finch, 
C. E. Flandrau, 



F. A. Fogg, 
R. B. Galusha, 
Cass Gilbert, 
R. Jordan, 

C. Gotzian, 
H. Greve, 

J. P. Gribben, 
H. P. Hall, 

D. W. Hand, 
Springer Harbaugh, 
P. R. L. Hardenberg, 

G. S. Heron, 
Chester G. Higbee, 
Matt Holl, 

D. W. Ingersoll, 
H. C. James, 

R. W. Johnson, 

E. H. Judson, 
A. Kalman, 
P. H. Kelly, 
Frank Keogh, 
A. R. Kiefer, 
N.W. Kittson, 
James King, 
UriL. Lamprey, 
C. H. Lineau, 
W. Lindeke, 



J. D. Ludden, 
J. J. McCardv, 
T. S. McManus, 
S. R. McM asters, 
E. Mannheimer, 
John Matheis, 
J. L. Merriam, 
W. R. Merriam, 
D. D. Merrill,' 

D. H. Moon, 

C. A. Moore, 
W. S. Morton, 
Stanford Newel, 

E. S. Norton, 

D. R. Noyes, 
H. O'Gorman. 
John B. Olivier, 
A. Oppenheim, 

E. F. Osborne, 
W. L. Perkins, 
G. H. Rannev, 
P. Reilly, 

W. Rhodes, 
Edmund Rice, 
Edmund Rice, Jr. 
W. G. Robertson, 



E. G. Rogers, 
J. N. Rogers, 
J. B. Sanborn, 
W. H. Sanborn, 

E. N. Saunders, 
Albert Schetfer, 
C. H. Schliek, 

T. L. Schurmeier, 
C. Seabury, 
Ed. Simonton, 
Jas. Smith, Jr., 
Kingsland Smith, 
R. A. Smith, 
N. E. Solomon, 

F. R. Sterrett, 
A. B. Sticknev, 

G. C. Stone, 

H. E. Thompson, 
W. A. Van Slyke, 
Lucien "Warner, 
J. J. Watson, 
J. A. Wheelock, 
A. H. Wilder, 
F. Willius, 
Gastav Willius, 
W. C. Wilson. 



LIST OF ANNL'AL MEMBERS — 1883-4. 



T. A. Abbott i\: Co, 

D. Aberle & Co., 
Albenburg& Couhaim, 
J. H. Amos, 

Arthur, Warren & Abbott, 
Bacon & Stone, 
T. J. Barney, 
George Benz & Co., 
S. Bergman, 

E. F. Berrisford, 
C. H. Bigelow, 
H.R.Bigelow, 
E. H. Biggs, 
Blodgett & Osgood, 
Bohrer & Hullsick, 
Bristol, Smith & Freeman, 
J. H. Burwell, 
Campbell & Burbank, 
Carpenter & Teltz, 
Clark & Frost, 

Gordon E. Cole, 

W. Constans, 

E. W. Corning, 

Craig, Larkin & Smith, 

Ammi Cutter, 

Merell, Sahlgaard & Thwing, 

Monfort & Co., 

C. F. Mould, 

R. C. Munger, 

W. P. Murray, 

Nicols & Dean, 

C. D. O'Brien, 

Harvey Officer, 

George Palmes, 

J. F. Pannell & Co., 

A. M. Peabodv, 

H. L. Pilkin^on & Co., 
Samuel Potter, 

B. Presley & Co., 
A. K. Pruden, 
A. Pugh, 

Quinbv & Hallowell, 



C. K. Davis, 
David Dav, 
De Coster "& Clark, 

F. R. Delano, 

E. F. Drake, 
J. H. Drake, 

R. G. Dun& Co., 

Dyer & Howard, 

P. F. Egan & Co,,, 

A. S. El felt, 

H. N. Elmer, 

Farwell, Ozmun & Jackson, 

Nathan Ford, 

Forepaugh & Tarbox, 

J. G. Freeman & Co., 

C. D. Gilfillan, 

J. M. Oilman, 

S. S. Glidden, 

Graves & Vinton, 

C. R. GroflP, 

H . S. Haas, 

H. Habighorst, 

Theodore Hamm, 

G. H. Hazzard, 
Gustave Heinemann, 
Ransom & Horton, 
Robinson & Carev, 
J. W. Routh, 

H. P. Rugg & Co. 
L. W. Rundlett, 
Merrell Ryder, 
Sattler Bros., 
Schultz, Becht & Hospes, 

F. J. Schultz, 

J. M. Schulze & Macdonald, 

G. E. Skinner, 
Karl Simmon, 

Smith Bros. & Erskine, 
W. A. Somers, 
J. Walter Stevens, 
A. J. Stone, 
C. D. Strong, 



J.J.Hill, 

E. J. Hodgson, 

H. Houlton, 

Hoxsie & Jaggar, 

Hubbard & Fay, 

Kellogg, Johnson & Co., 

D. L. Kingsburv, 
R. A. Kirk, 

W.H. Konantz & Bros., 
A. L. Larpenteur, 
William Lee & Co., 
Lichtenauer & Heinemann, 

E. Lytle, 

J. W. McClung, 
Mcllrath & Gilbert, 

F. F. Mclver, 
Joseph McKey & Co., 
C. M. McLainj 

J. T. McMillan, 

C. A. McNeale, 

Walter Mann, 

W. R. Marshall, 

Mathes, Good & Schurmeier, 

Mayo & Clark, 

T. N. Metcalf, 

E. T. Sumwalt, 

H. Swift, 

H. S. Treherne, 

C. B. Thurston, 

H. P. TJpham, 

J. C. Wall, 

Walsh & Goforth, 

Eugene Ward, 

W. P. Warner, 

C. L. Willes, 

George Wirth, 

J. H. Woolsey, 

Yanz & Howes, 

Anthony Yoerg, 

Young, Streissguth A Drake. 



Ini 



ex. 



Page. 

Summary of Salient Features 3 

Introductory 7 

Site of St. Paul .: ^ 

St. Paul's Wholesale Trade 9 

The Retail Trade 18 

St. Paul's Manufactures 20 

Hints to Manufacturers 2-i 

Financial Center of the Northwest 36 

Social Advantages ; 41 

St. Paul's Railway System 42 

Territory Tributary to St. Paul : oO 

Educational Facilities... 54 

St. Paul Churches 58 

Remarkable Increase in Population 61 

River Traffic 62 

Building Review 63 

Real Estate 65 

Health of St. Paul 66 

The General Climate of Minnesota.... 67 

Suburban Attractions 69 

Cost of Living in St. Paul , 74 

Fostofiice Statistics ; 75 

A Word to Workingmen 76 

Building and Loan As.sociations 76 

Increase in Value of Realty 78 

Public Libraries • 79 

Lumber Tra<l( ^ 80 

The Newspapersof the City 80 

Tlie Outlook for 1884 ' 81 

The Wealthy Men of the City 84 

Secret Societies 84 

Amusements 85 

Opportunities for Investing Cai)ital 8G 

J're.'iident Sanborn's Address 87 

OtYic.crs of Chamber of Commerce 94 




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